The sidewalks along Sunrise Boulevard will once again be lined with parade-watchers as the city’s 2017 Red, White & Blue Parade takes place on June 24.
The Saturday parade is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. and will travel along Sunrise Boulevard, starting just north of Madison Avenue and ending near Greenback Lane at the Sunrise Mall. The parade will be followed by a Summer Kick Off event outside Sunrise Mall from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. that will include a classic car show, food trucks, a kids zone and watermelon, pie, and chicken-wing eating contests.
According to Event and Community Center Technician Michele Saario, this year’s parade will feature two skydivers dropped from a plane, along with a special float to celebrate the city’s 20th birthday. Other parade floats and entries typically feature various civic clubs, businesses, bands, car clubs and other groups.
A pancake breakfast will also be served for $5, provided by the Citrus Heights Rotary Club.
Traditionally held on the fourth Saturday in June each year, the parade dates back around Citrus Heights’ founding two decades ago and was originally created as a “happy birthday” to the city. Saario previously told The Sentinel the event became known as the “Red, White & Blue Parade” in 2002, due in part to the Sept. 11 terrorist attack.
Parade sponsors this year include the City of Citrus Heights, Sunrise Mall, 101.9 The Wolf, Hot 103.5, and Republic Services.
