Independence Day Event Set July 5

The Independence Day Committee is encouraging residents to take part in the 37th annual Ojai Independence Day Parade.

The parade will be held July 5, beginning at 10 a.m. at Country Club Drive and Ojai Avenue.

The parade was started by a few local people who wanted to stage a community celebration, said committee member Tracy Patton.

It has since grown to 100 entries, and the committee has 18 members.

The parade will proceed down Ojai Avenue to Park Road and end at Sarzotti Park. A celebration will be held at the park featuring music, baseball games, relay races, pie-eating contests and mother-daughter / father-son look-alike contests.

The deadline to enter in the parade is Friday. Categories include floats, equestrian, specialty, commercial, auto and band.