Novato Advance
“Resilience” is how Mayor Pat Eklund put it. Novato is the kind of town that overcomes adversity and last weekend’s 4th of July celebrations said that loud and clear.
While the vagaries of the COVID-19 pandemic prevented the city from putting on its traditional parade down tree-lined Grant Avenue, the town created a virtual parade. People who normally would be in the parade were invited to video a message in lieu of marching.
The results can be found at NovatoParade.com. It features all the political dignitaries from the mayor on down, to business luminaries such as Pini Hardware, entertainer Banjo Dave Marty, and many non-profits such as North Marin Community Services.
Councilman Eric Lucan recited his 4th of July message in rhyming verse with his daughter on his lap. Lucan, who is running to fill Judy Arnold’s seat on the County Commission, promised the parade — “the best in Marin” — would be back in 2022.
“Nobody does the 4th of July like our city, thanks to our amazing parade committee. We still have a great celebration to watch on their screens, until everyone is able to get their vaccines.”
Judy Arnold, praised county employees for helping with the COVID response. “In Marin we now have very low rates of transmission.” She introduced two of the tireless employees in the video.
Dennis Rodini, president of the county board of supervisors, said he’s “thrilled” that we’re emberging out of the pandemic.
Mayor Eklund, dressed in a festive embroidered red blouse, said “I’d like to thank the parade committee for having the creativity to put this video together.”
She also praised the Novato community “from veterans to volunteers” for typifying what it is to be a Novatoan.
“You are my hometown heroes,” she said. “We are, and always will be, Novato proud.”
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