Patriotic revels
Sierra Madre’s annual Fourth of July celebration offers several bands on local stages
By Bliss 07/03/2008
Little-known fact: Quibbling historians be damned, the Founding Fathers intended Fourth of July to be a multi-day celebration. At least, that’s how it seems in Sierra Madre. Civic spirit in this determinedly quaint town always seems to express itself for more than just 24 hours, with bands playing here, there and everywhere each day of the festivities.
It’s a loud, proud, genuinely heartwarming slice of Americana, albeit one rowdy enough to send Norman Rockwell spinning in his grave. Because, despite its gingerbread-trimmed rep, Sierra Madre, like Pasadena, is all-American in its diversity, with residents who consider “community” an active verb. For every flag-waving old-timer at the Fourth of July parade who wishes California was a red state, there’s a blue-collar contractor, painter or Hollywood studio artisan countering with different views. Not for nothing did CNN recently describe the town as an artists’ haven.
Its July 4 beer garden opens in Memorial Park July 3. It’s run by the Sierra Madre Volunteer Firefighters’ Association, this year providing an additional reason to imbibe — er, celebrate: firefighters’ successful battle against the recent blaze that charred the foothills. The Fourth falls oh so conveniently on a Friday, so you’ve got an extra day to revel. Or recuperate.
The park’s bandshell stage will host an early performance Thursday night by the Sheds, a teen band enthralled by spiky ska beats, the Aggrolites, Rancid and bouncy pop. They’ll open for Buccaneer Lounge regulars Aluminum Marshmallow. Drummer Tom Behrens and guitarist Greg Pineda, who first jammed together at a 1967 St. Rita’s talent show, resurrected the band five years ago as the Return of the Incredible Aluminum Marshmallow. If the band name suggests a diehard love of late ’60s-era rock and psychedelia, you’re right on the money: expect plenty of Beatles and Chicago covers.
Separate from that officially sanctioned party in the park, there’ll also be music lighting up Café 322 down the block, where Mercy & the Merkettes will be cranking out vintage rock and R&B.
The main event, of course, is Friday morning’s small town spectacle, the Fourth of July parade, which attracts thousands of onlookers. Artistic contributions from Fiddlin’ Uncle Sam, Horses on Astroturf and bellydancer Katrelya Angus will spice the seemingly endless line of Boy and Girl Scouts, car clubs, Rose Float reps and politicos. Afterward the Nightblooming Jazzmen will entertain beer garden denizens with traditional Dixieland jazz. But if history’s any guide, locals won’t stop celebrating when the beer garden shuts down.
Music starts 5 p.m. tonight in Memorial Park, 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre. The parade starts at Sunnyside and Sierra Madre Boulevard, Sierra Madre, at 10 a.m. Friday. All events are free and open to the public. For details, call (626) 355-5278. www.aluminummarshmallow.com, www.myspace.com/shedrock, www.nightbloomingjazzmen.com.
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