| Novato is the largest and northernmost city in | | | | catch the action and meet up with friends at |
| Marin County, which is the county that greets San | | | | either location. Everyone wears red, white and |
| Francisco at the Golden Gate. Sometimes it's | | | | blue and corny is cool. |
| referred to as the red-headed step-child of the | | | | One year, when my kids were hitting those |
| county, famed for a laid back, wealthy lifestyle, of | | | | embarrassing pre-teen years, a friend sincerely |
| rock stars and self-help seekers and people who | | | | asked us to march in the parade on behalf of the |
| really, really love their dogs, and endangered | | | | local genealogical society. The five of us braved |
| species of just about any kind. Novato has all | | | | the heat and cheered the crowds while pushing a |
| that, but on a more practical level. Novato is the | | | | 95 year old grand dame in her wheel chair, waving |
| most fantastic small town-big city in the world, | | | | pieces of 95 year old laurel plants, and playing |
| and it's a destination most tourists do not find, | | | | again and again "our song" on the boom box, " I |
| without a little luck, which I am providing today. | | | | Am My Own Grandma," which you would have to |
| On the Fourth of July, the town turns out a | | | | hear to comprehend. Last year, my eldest |
| spectacular parade that brings thousands of locals | | | | daughter, now 25, rode with the Mayor on the |
| and those lucky tourists mentioned above, to the | | | | back of a classic 1956 Ford Thunderbird |
| main street on Grant Avenue. I think every one | | | | convertible. It's all for the day, all for the city, and |
| of the 50,000 residents that live in this small | | | | all for the people of Novato. |
| town-big city have participated in the parade in | | | | I own a film and video production company and in |
| some fashion. There is an armada of World War | | | | honor of this great town, produced a video on |
| II vintage jeeps and tanks with a fly-over of | | | | the history of Novato, . Also, with a local |
| aircraft, there's 100 marching Bassett hounds, 100 | | | | insurance agent and long time resident, friend and |
| marching pugs, karate teams, pre-schools, dancing | | | | stellar musician, we created a music video based |
| schools, marching bands, farmers on tractors and | | | | on his song about Novato, " That Kind of Place," |
| the horsemen's club in full regale; the politicians in | | | | Check them out and see if this town meets your |
| vintage cars, fire engines and more – so much | | | | idea of fun! |
| more. | | | | If you live in the San Francisco area, this is a |
| Everyone turns out and finds a special spot after | | | | parade you won't want to miss. If you are |
| the pancake breakfast that is the official start. In | | | | traveling to Northern CA, add this to your |
| a while, the line waiting to march slows down to a | | | | itinerary – you will not regret it. |
| halt on the street parallel the activity, and you can | | | | Happy Birthday USA! |