July 4 coverage

• Fun Run and Pancake Breakfast (3 photos)
  
• Every cart and car in the parade (we hope) (186 photos)
• Carnival at the lake (5 photos)
• Music and fireworks (5 photos)

Ten-day-old Rocco Mistretta saw his first Fourth of July parade with his mother, Nicole Mistretta, and other family members.

The parade included the 2009 Girls All-Star softball team and other youth sports teams.

Natalie Brozaitis floated down the Parkway in the Brozaitis family’s bathtub-themed cart, which took top honors for Most Creative/Funniest.

A real fire truck from Station 59 led the parade, and miniature versions were popular, too.

In addition to being a display of red, white and blue patriotism, the parade has a quirky side.

“Toy Story” characters were among pop culture icons that included the floating house from “Up,” Spiderman and Star Wars. There was also a tribute to Michael Jackson.

This year, 112 carts signed up to make the trip down the Parkway, the most ever, according to organizers.

The parade was larger and the audience was, too. They became part of the rolling show, collecting candy that was tossed and getting sprayed with water.

Jamie Wright came all the way from Philadelphia to be in the parade.

Keaton Amma’s entry was judged Most Creative/Funniest.

Addison Pohll, 2, took the honors for Best Decorated in the children’s division.

Aaron Fong, 2, had a front row seat.

Lincoln Snyder's 1930 Model A pickup was going to make a statement about the state of California (see inset photo), but, well, the truck overheated and had troubles of its own.  The car has been in Snyder's family for 50 years, he said, and this was its first parade appearance.

Parade winners

Cart division

• Most Patriotic: Craig Family
• Most Creative/Funniest: Brozaitis Family (picture of baby and bubbles)
• Best Decorated: Alex and Bernice Jones
• Honorable Mention: Flores Family 

Children’s division

• Most Patriotic: Kyle Brown, Taylor Carrington
• Most Creative/Funniest: Keaton Amma, Shaelyn Spencer
• Best Decorated: Dane Tarantino, Addison Pohll
• Honorable Mention: Jake Pimentel, Lauren Werner