Great American 4th of July Bike Parade

For the 2011 Bike Parade, click here.

Justin Rudd's 7th annual Great American 4th of July Kids' Bike Parade is probably the most heartwarming event happening this Independence Day. Kids can decorate their bikes and ride on the boardwalk. Ten kids will win $10 for decorating their bikes with creativity, originality, and use of red, white, and blue. There will be free face painting by Amber Moles Hogrelius before and after the bike parade. Hot dogs and drinks are $1, which is donated to Rudd's Community Action Team (CAT).

And there are a whole bunch of contests for kids 12 and younger that will be taking place after the parade:

PATRIOTIC ESSAY CONTEST - Bring your 60-90 second patriotic speeches to read to our preliminaray judges before the parade (ask for judges area when you arrive). Approx. 3-5 finalists will be selected to read their speeches publicly to all the spectators after the parade and be featured on a YouTube and Facebook video. $10 prizes. Judges will take in to consideration the age of the child.

WATERMELON SEED SPITTING CONTEST - Each kid and parent are invited to join the contest. The top-five kids whose seeds fly farthest will make it to the finals with their mom or dad. Finalists will be joined by a parent to see whose combined "spits" go farthest (we'll add the child and the parent's distances). $10 to winning team. Who wants a year's worth of bragging rights as the best seed spitter in Belmont Shore?

PATRIOTIC COSTUME CONTEST - Dress up like Betsy Ross, the Statue of Liberty, Lincoln, Washington, Uncle Sam, Obama or some other patriotic character and you might win! Five finalists will each receive $10.

Organizers of this Parade have identified 40 Long Beach students who do not have the means to have a bike, and who have been inspirational at school. They will be presented with brand-new bikes, locks and helmets at the event. Special thanks to Jeff Taylor and Parkcrest Church for heading up this part of the day. To donate toward this effort, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Jennifer Kumiyama, the reigning Ms. Wheelchair California for 2010 will sing the national anthem. She is Chief Editor of Disabled Guides for www.notanotherguide.com and a full time singer/actress in "Aladdin; A Musical Spectacular" at Disney California Adventure Theme Park. Other special guests include Long Beach City Manager Pat West, 3rd District Councilmember Gary DeLong, Long Beach Chief of Police Jim McDonnell, Olympic cyclist Tony Cruz, Long Beach Police bike officers, Miss Long Beach Elisa Sabes, Miss Southern California Mary Maldonado, and Mrs. Long Beah Christy Van der Westhuizen.

Co-sponsored by Rudd's Community Action Team (CAT) and Gazette Newspapers.