Scenes from a drizzly Solstice Parade

By Doug Alder · June 19th, 2010 · 14 Comments

Raindrops and overcast skies didn’t keep thousands of people from crowding Fremont’s sidewalks for the annual Solstice Parade.

The nude bikers led the way encouraging everyone to stand up and yell.

After a delay between the bikers and the parade itself, and a few verbal confrontations from people in the crowd jockeying for a good view, the first band made its way through the heart of Fremont.

From bellydancers to street performers to elaboarate floats, this year’s parade had plenty of colorful entries to brighten up a dreary weather day.

Almost all of the parade entries took time to mix with the crowd and pose for pictures. One band even performed two songs for the appreciative crowd.

The crowd was also in a very giving mood, opening their wallets to make cash donations to make sure there will be a parade next year.

Earlier, we posted a few photos of the naked bicyclists warming up for the event. And here are photos from the Fremont Fair, as well. Our sister site MyWallingford also has a photo gallery of the parade from the Wallingford side and from Gas Works Park. Oh, want more naked cyclists? The Kozy Shack has posted a bunch on Flickr.

14 responses so far ↓

1 Martha Taylor // Jun 19, 2010 at 5:36 pm

The Solstice Parade gets better every year. My favorites were the black/white hoop skirt display & bird in a cage float, the Beatles & Yellow Submarine and the smudging at the beginning of the parade. Thanks for a wonderful day.
2 Penny // Jun 19, 2010 at 5:37 pm

Get it together whoever was organizing the parade. The delay between the bicyclists and the parade was too much for the kids I was with. We waited a good half hour and then called it. Bummer. Please remember there are a lot of little kids out there with small attention spans.
3 hopeful poet // Jun 19, 2010 at 7:18 pm

Well, the parade is organized by the Fremont Arts Council and began at noon- But I do not beleive that the naked cyclist are actually part of the parade. I heard they began their ride at 10. So sorry that you could not plan accordingly
4 SplatteredWhim // Jun 19, 2010 at 7:38 pm

We saw the cyclists at ten till noon, but then we didn’t see any parade for a full hour after that. I almost gave up and I don’t even have kids.
5 Debbie // Jun 19, 2010 at 8:37 pm

I didn’t go but it sounds like a parade of naked cyclist. and then later, a real parade. they just need to give a better schedule for those to plan accordingly, skin or no skin.
6 C W // Jun 19, 2010 at 8:52 pm

Found: two pair reading glasses in the street during the parade. Each have unique features, post here with a store at which you would like me to drop them and I’ll make that happen.
7 Penny // Jun 19, 2010 at 9:19 pm

They advertise the parade to start at noon. We were at our spot in the road at 11:15. Didn’t see any cyclists ’til right around noon (we were by the Fremont Bridge) and then finally left a little after 1:00p without seeing any part of a “parade.” We’re parents, Hopeful Poet, we do nothing BUT plan accordingly. We’ve gone many times before, and this was the first time I can remember such a delay. Hopefully it was just something that came up and can be corrected next year.
8 Paul O'Connell // Jun 20, 2010 at 10:34 am

here are some more photos from the parade

http://www.flickr.com/photos/poc/sets/72157624192725009/
9 maybe plan better // Jun 20, 2010 at 12:32 pm

We were up near the start of the parade, which started promptly at noon, it just takes a while to get all the way to the end. As parades are known to do. I would suggest planning to get a spot near the start of the parade if you want to see it at a certain time. Blaming the arts counsel isn’t fair, it is a parade after all. You can be certain that the end of the parade wont see anything until at least an hour after the start of the parade. just my 2 cents.
10 Jon // Jun 20, 2010 at 2:38 pm

I’ve been to the parade many times, always go to the same spot, under the aurora bridge. The gap was well over an hour, something that didn’t happen in years prior. The parade was worth the wait, but I could see people’s reason’s for leaving (hunger nearly motivated me away from the parade).
11 Randy Antler // Jun 20, 2010 at 8:02 pm

Here is the link to my Flickr stream of photos I took during the Parade:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tantle/sets/72157624189915063/
12 Chris Hennessy // Jun 21, 2010 at 9:16 am

The Parade has lost its soul-Its is totally missing the creative spark that it once had. The same old groups-the same old floats-boooring!!!! The amusing political satire is gone. Not a single oil spill float??? The use of amplifiers and electricity violates the spirit of the parade. Kill it completely or refocus it significantly. Too much anarchy is tedious and lame-There should also be some rules about staking out prime spots along the route too far in advance-everyone who gets up early enough in the mornign should have an equal chance to get a prime location. Local businesses should not own the parking strip in front of thier business-
13 hopeful poet // Jun 21, 2010 at 4:04 pm

I am sorry I hurt your feelings Penny.
I am a parent too. Sometimes you gotta ease up on the “planning” and enjoy what is in front of you.
I hope you took time to enjoy the message of the season and enjoy yourself and whatever comes your way.
14 hopeful poet // Jun 21, 2010 at 4:08 pm

Also - if you have your kids in the parade, they can get all their running out of their system and still see the fun stuff.