What Happened?
Hundreds of people lined the streets for the inaugural Mission Viejo Parade on Saturday, July 11, to celebrate 250 years of the American story.
Vintage cars, marching bands, floats, dignitaries and local organizations made their way along Marguerite Parkway and La Paz Road as spectators cheered from the sidelines. Shriners zipped around in miniature cars, the Founding Fathers and Betsy Ross rode patriotic floats, and equestrian teams trotted through the parade route.
In all, close to 80 organizations took part, with Mission Viejo Mayor Wendy Bucknum and the City Council leading the way. Congresswoman Young Kim and California Assemblywoman Kate Sanchez also took part.
One of the most poignant moments was 103-year-old Hometown Hero Anna T. Boyce—one of Mission Viejo's oldest residents—riding in a mint-condition Ford Thunderbird.
Who Took Part?
The parade kicked off with the Camp Pendleton Color Guard and Band, Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division. As the City Council rolled past next, Councilmember Trish Kelly said: "This is one of the most special days in our city's history. It's very exciting."
The Just Having Fun OC classic car group showed up in force, members driving everything from muscle cars like a 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback to a 50's-era Chevy station wagon.
Mrs. California and Mission Viejo resident Tephani McCleave waved to the crowd as she sat atop a 60's-era yellow Shelby Cobra replica. Not far behind were marchers from the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Many of Mission Viejo's ethnic and religious communities were represented by groups including Grupo Folklorico Nuevo Amanecer, O.C.I.F. Noor Abilities and the Mormon Battalion.
There was a yellow school bus loaded with Mission Viejo's "original settlers" from 1966, and, speaking of schools, squads from Trabuco Hills High School, Capistrano Valley High School and the Stratford School. We can't forget the young musicians from the School of Rock jamming to the Guess Who's "American Woman" either.
Bagpipers and Orange County Fire Station 24 brought up the rear.
What Did Parade Viewers Think?
Maya Parris of Soul Movement Pilates watched the festivities outside her studio on Marguerite. She told the Buzz that she was there to support the community where she grew up, noting that the current Trader Joe's location used to be a roller skating rink where she would spend her Saturday afternoons as a kid.
For Karen, an employee at The Shirt Cannery since it opened 50 years ago, there was no other place she'd rather be. As Julie Marshall and her Shirt Cannery team marched by, Karen grabbed her walker and proudly joined her co-workers.
Lynn came from neighboring Lake Forest to be a part of the celebration. "Who doesn't love a parade?" she said.
Later that day, many attendees headed to Oso Viejo Community Park for the second annual Mission Viejo BBQ Music Fest and to view vintage cars from the parade up close.
Want to see the parade in its entirety? Click below!
