A Festive Fourth : A Day of Parades, Picnics and a Dogged Political Race

So the new mayor of Sunland-Tujunga won’t be a fleabag after all. The sad end of the campaign to elect Farley D. Kaynine, a German shepherd-Labrador mix, to the highest post in his community was a highlight of the Fourth of July, 1995-style, at parades and picnics in the San Fernando Valley and across northern Los Angeles County.

Despite an unseasonal overcast morning, bands marched and drill teams strutted their stuff from Newhall to Sunland and San Fernando to Westlake Village, capped by a fireworks display at Pierce College in Woodland Hills.

Local dignitaries practiced the continuous hand-wave from convertible cars. Hot dogs sizzled on the grill. Churches combined religious and patriotic fervor as singing parishioners rocked for both America and Jesus from the backs of flatbed trucks.

In Sunland, the big question was whether Farley the dog would be elected mayor, an honorary title with neither power nor salary in this community, which is in the city of Los Angeles.

Despite a dogged campaign that drew international media attention, Farley had to settle for the title of honorary mascot in a closely watched contest pitting him against two human beings.

“Life will go on,” said Maureen Powers, a philosophical F.O.F.--Friend of Farley--whose campaign button declared, “Paw-er to the People.”

Announcement of the election results was the climax of a community Independence Day parade and party that began Tuesday morning along Foothill Boulevard. Like thousands of others across the Valley and surrounding areas, Sunland-Tujunga residents lined the streets, stoked the barbecues and waited for the sunshine that finally broke through heavy cloud cover to herald the nation’s birthday.

It was time for fun, even if the history of the holiday was lost on some, like a man who saw no irony in the sweater he wore depicting both Old Glory and the British Union Jack.

“We just came for the party,” said the man, who identified himself only as Erno.

Others had the same idea at Hansen Dam Park, scene of a Fourth of July celebration for the first time in 15 years, complete with fireworks and classical music by a 70-piece orchestra. Hamburger buns shared grill space with tortillas; soccer balls were in evidence as much as baseballs.

Tarrace Gilyard of Pacoima arrived at the park hours before the fete was to begin at 10 a.m., aiming to stake out a shady spot for himself, his wife and his mother.

“I wasn’t the only one out here at 6 a.m.,” said Gilyard, one of 5,000 people expected to show up for the event.

About 10,000 people were forecast to attend an extravaganza at the Cal State Northridge North Campus. Vijay Patel, an engineer from Reseda, set up his lawn chair on a prime spot on the stadium field, reading a book and waiting for jazz bands to begin performing.

“The other alternative would’ve been to sit by the pool,” Patel said, nursing an iced tea.

Flag-waving and civic floats were the order of the day in Santa Clarita, once judged one of the country’s most patriotic cities.

Clothes came in three colors: red, white and blue. So did Tiffany McKeighen’s braces, which the 13-year-old had specially capped in patriotic hues by her orthodontist.

“I’ve got them for the whole month,” said Tiffany, who lives in Valencia.

But few of the celebrations boasted the good-natured tension of the Sunland-Tujunga fete, whose race for honorary mayor drew widespread attention after the entry of Farley the Dog by his owner, photography store owner Michael Lucas.

“Recall!” cried a die-hard Farley supporter after election results were unsealed Tuesday at Sunland Park, revealing that telephone company executive Dick Starr had won. Local restaurateur Wolfgang Schweinberger is the new deputy mayor.

“It was really one of the biggest events to hit Sunland-Tujunga,” said Harry Hughes of the Sunland-Tujunga Chamber of Commerce.

The winner of the mayor’s contest was determined by the number of $1 tickets each candidate sold to benefit the Chamber of Commerce and a charity of his choice. In the end, Starr sold 7,050; Schweinberger sold 3,329, and Farley sold 3,029.

But in Maureen Powers’ view, Farley could have done just as good a job as top dog.

“Farley can cut ribbons and kiss babies just as well as Wolfgang or Dick Starr,” she said.

Indeed, Lucas pledged that Farley will not fade from the political scene.

“He’ll still remain active in the community,” Lucas told reporters, including the film crew of a Japanese variety show.

Farley appeared delighted that he still drew more photographers. The paw-parazzi appeared to prefer a dog in defeat to the humans in victory.

“I’m happy with the outcome,” said Schweinberger, who tried unsuccessfully to disqualify Farley from the running.

“Anything but the dog. We were afraid the dog would win.”

Times special correspondent Mark Sabbatini contributed to this story.