Expect to see a fair amount of tractors being pulled at the annual 4th of July Torchlight Parade, an event named because it has been held on First Street since before there were streetlights. (Photo by Nick Sestanovich)

Once again, Benicia will be going all out with its celebration of America’s founding.

Monday is the annual Torchlight Parade where local businesses, organizations and elected officials decorate vehicles or floats and drive them down First Street to show their spirit in a parade. The grand marshals this year are Bill and Leeann Cawley of Benicia Plumbing Inc. They will be preceded on the route by the American Legion Honor Guard, Napa Solano Veteran Riders, Mayor Elizabeth Patterson and the individual City Councilmembers. There will also be vehicles for city staff like City Clerk Lisa Wolfe, Treasurer Ken Paulk and City Manager Lorie Tinfow and other local representatives such as U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson, State Sen. Bill Dodd, Assemblymember Tim Grayson and County Supervisor Monica Brown.

Other new and returning entries include the Benicia Fire Department, Benicia Emergency Response Team, Benicia Main Street, the Golden Hills Mustang Club, the Benicia-Tula Sister City Association, Pizza Pirate, the Benicia Moms Group, Carquinez Village, the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, Boy Scouts Benicia Pack 108, Tip Tap Toe Dance Studio, the League of Women Voters Benicia, the Benicia Stingrays swim team, Christina S Fashion Destination, the Benicia Historical Museum and a whole lot more.

The parade starts at 6:30 p.m., Monday, July 3 along First Street. The 4th of July Picnic in the Park will be held from noon to 7 p.m. the following day with fireworks starting at 9 p.m. at the foot of First Street. For more information on both events, go to BeniciaMainStreet.org.

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