SAN JOSE — Some got here some gaudily dressed on Friday, others barely so. Some carried indicators, others held flags. And a decent-sized contingent exhibiting their type on their traditional automobiles.
Most alongside The Alameda glittered in an assortment of crimson, white and blue, however they weren’t alone: Others sported the inexperienced, white and crimson of Mexico’s flag, some have been displaying all the colours of the rainbow. One group — Miss Teen Saigon and her court docket — shined within the colours of each the American and Vietnamese flags, driving in a Tesla.
At a second when America’s nationwide identification is in query — a stark division between the mass deportations sought by President Trump and those that search to guard immigrants of their Bay Space communities — San Jose confirmed its range with pleasure and patriotism.
The annual Rose, White and Blue Fourth of July Parade and Competition, which organizers held for the 18th time Friday within the historic district west of downtown, entertained 1000’s of revelers unfold out over a half a mile.
The political backdrop this yr might have led observers to marvel if the parade felt a bit totally different. The collective reply: Sure, to a level, however not sufficient to wipe away its which means.
“When we started doing this, the team and I became united in wanting to create something that would be hella San Jose and hella Bay Area,” parade organizer Sharon Benitez stated. “I feel like we’ve done that. We celebrate all, and all are welcome to celebrate.”
That message appeared to reverberate as a lot as ever as america marked the yr earlier than its 250th birthday, even amid an undercurrent of uncertainty. Some on the parade talked about their combined emotions about celebrating America, at the same time as Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the USA” blared on the audio system.
“We’re in a period of crisis,” stated David Zbin, of San Jose, who rode in a Kawanee and Elkpoint inexperienced 1931 Mannequin-A Ford owned by his spouse. “To be trustworthy, we have been fighting the entire wave-the-flag factor, as a result of we we didn’t need it to be taken as we blindly assist the whole lot that’s occurring. We don’t. But in addition, we all know that there’s a lot that’s so superb about our nation, and we adore it.
“And like you love anything you really care about, you have to love it in the bad times, too.”
The parade began close to the Lincoln Excessive College campus and moved alongside the Alameda and confirmed off an array of worldwide cultures. On the heart of it was Miss Candy Nothing, an Emeryville-based drag queen who acted because the emcee.
“It’s wonderful,” she stated of the parade. “It’s a practice that at all times brings collectively a wonderful group to have fun domestically and in addition to carry nationwide consideration to what’s nice about range.
“It’s always been in the back of my mind to stay vigilant and stay engaged in the fight for those who are oppressed, and nothing has changed about that. So this helps us stay engaged with the people in the communities who want to embrace diversity rather than fight against it.”
Sandra Cano, director of Salseros Parceros, a dance-and-fusion group that that celebrates Colombia’s tradition, stated the parade bolstered “what is possible” for all who come to America, even when this yr’s occasion comes with a tinge of unhappiness.
She stated she grew to become a U.S. citizen in 2011 after her dad and mom immigrated from Colombia.
“The first thing I felt was that I was thankful,” she stated. “I’m grateful that I’m in a rustic the place I can share my happiness for dancing, and that I stay in a spot the place we’re allowed to have range and have fun it. On the identical time, it’s combined feelings even for me.
“Even though I’m proud to be part of this country and love it with all my heart, I can’t deny that a part of me is very sad over what is happening and very concerned over the direction we might be heading,” she stated. “But I never lose hope.”
Finally, many parade observers and individuals stated that it’s the concept of hope for everybody that will get renewed annually that American celebrates its birthday.
“Are there things that are not great and that should cause alarm and be addressed? Yes, of course,” stated David Harrington, who was on the parade together with his 98-year-old father, a navy veteran additionally named David. “However ultimately, I believe all people right here is aware of that all of us might be in a spot that’s quite a bit worse than this.
“A lot of the spirit that we celebrate is still present. We can see it and feel it here at this parade. As long as we have that, we will always have hope.”
Ladies from Miss & Mrs Vietnam USA wave ribbons throughout The Rose, White and Blue 4th of July celebration and parade on The Alameda in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, July 4, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Space Information Group)
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Ladies from Miss & Mrs Vietnam USA wave ribbons throughout The Rose, White and Blue 4th of July celebration and parade on The Alameda in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, July 4, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Space Information Group)
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