Local plans for 'virtual' Fourth of July celebration
By Vera Kochan
Banners in Orinda boast of the "Best Hometown Parade," but the parade will be "virtual" in 2020 owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo Sora O'Doherty
Patriotism is alive and well in Lamorinda despite coronavirus restrictions. Moraga's annual family friendly Fourth of July celebration, traditionally held in the Moraga Commons Park has been reconfigured this year. Fireworks have been canceled along with all of the Fun Runs, food booths and music in favor of a "virtual" celebration designed to adhere to social distancing concerns that would typically be impossible at this type of event. Orinda will not be holding its annual parade, but is promoting a decorating contest where residents don their homes in red, white and blue and document it on film. There will be an Orinda-wide video presentation at 10:30 a.m. narrated by Steve Harwood, and residents are encouraged to recognize local workers and frontline heroes with five minutes of noise at noon.
The Moraga Parks and Recreation Department has devised some scaled down participation-style activities to boost town morale during the holiday. The Dog Parade encourages owners to dress their four-legged friends patriotically, go for a walk and take a photo to post on social media by using #moragadogparade or tagging Moraga Parks and Recreation.
A Kids' Bike Parade is also encouraged. Families can ride around their neighborhood, through the town or on the trails with decorated bikes. Stop and take photos to share with the community by using #moragabikeparade or tagging Moraga Parks and Recreation.
No Fourth of July is complete without a barbecue. Both Moraga Parks and Rec and Orinda are suggesting that residents bring the grill to the front yard for a social distancing party with neighbors beginning 4:30 p.m. Moraga residents can send photos of the festivities to #moragafrontyardbbq or tagging Moraga Parks and Recreation. If you have a secret/never-fails barbecue recipe that you're willing to share, send it to: recdesk@moraga.ca.us and it will be posted on the Parks and Rec website.
Have another way to safely celebrate the Fourth? Send them to #moraga4thofjuly or tag Moraga Parks and Recreation. If you don't have social media you can send your photos to: recdesk@moraga.ca.us. All photos will be compiled into a real-time slideshow and available for viewing between July 4 through July 11 on the town's website: www.moraga.ca.us. Orinda home decorating contest entry forms and more information can be found on the Orinda Association website: https://orindaassociation.org/4th-of-july-parade
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