Updated June 29, 9:40 p.m.–
Colorful banners, balloons and marching bands took over Sunrise Boulevard Saturday morning as thousands of residents, City leaders, businesses and others lined the street for Citrus Heights’ 16th annual Red, White and Blue Parade.
Kicking off at 9 a.m. with a high-speed entry by two skydivers dropped from high above Sunrise Mall, the hour-long parade traveled along Sunrise Boulevard between Madison Avenue and Greenback Lane, concluding in the Mall’s parking lot.
“It was just another fantastic, successful event for the City,” said Citrus Heights Councilman Mel Turner, who rode in the parade along with other council members. “Just love seeing the families, seeing the smiles on the faces, the kids — it makes you feel like everything’s right with the world.”
The parade drew participants and attendees from Citrus Heights and beyond, with parade-watcher Debbie Godinez coming from Rancho Cordova, as she said she does every year.
“It was great,” said Godinez, who brought along some of her family and grandkids. “We always come for the breakfast.”
Traditionally held on the fourth Saturday in June, the annual Red, White and Blue Parade was originally a “happy birthday” celebration to the City, eventually merging into what it is today.
“It’s honoring the birth of our nation and the birth of Citrus Heights, which go hand-in-hand,” said Councilman Turner. “That’s really what it’s all about… and we continue to celebrate that every year, and the colors just reinforce that.”
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