Who took part?
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. Bagpipers and Orange County Fire Station 24 brought up the rear.
One of the most poignant moments was 103-year-old Hometown Hero Anna Boyce riding in a mint-condition Ford Thunderbird.
What did 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.
