Parades Then & Now

NVHA has participated in parades for many years. The photo to the below left shows some of the participants in 1945. The parade is on 3rd Street near Randolph St. looking East  The Dodge dealership is owned by Peter Gasser. Pat, Peter’s wife was also a founding member of  the NVHA.

The photo below on the right in the 4th of July parade in 2010. The parade is show at about the same location as in 1945 but looking West. While many things have changed since 1945, one thing that has not changed is a good parade. Horse, Kids and the Fourth of July in Napa California.

July 2009 Napa Valley Register:

Napa Valley Horseman’s Association, a Wells Fargo stagecoach and Vaqueros de Carneros’ prancing horses provide an equestrian twist to the parade this year, sparking cries of “I want to ride that,” among the many children in attendance.

July 2010 Napa Valley Register:

Fourth of July in Napa means parade time, and on Sunday afternoon thousands gathered in the downtown area to take in some fun, sun and floats.

The theme for this year’s parade “Happy Birthday, America” could be seen in most of the 70 floats that participated in the event.

Members of the Napa Valley Horsemen’s Association decorated their steeds, 11 in all, with red, white and blue paint and American flags.

“We just want to show Napa County that the Napa Horsemen’s is alive and well,” said Anna Lincoln, NVHA member. “I think it’s going to be an awesome parade, it feels good in the air. What better way to celebrate the Fourth of July?”

During the parade, NVHA members rode their horses and held American flags. In the absence of a marching band, Calistoga resident Bonnie Craig answered parade organizer Doris Gentry’s call to form an ad hoc band of local musicians. Craig showed up in Napa along with her saxophone and quickly learned the formation to join Gentry’s makeshift band.