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2002 4^th of July Events Planned

This year, the 4^th of July celebration is a 3-day event in Sierra Madre!

Here’s what’s happening…

Wednesday evening, July 3

Pre-Parade Party, feature two NEW BANDS:  The Lampreys, an instrumental “surf guitar” band, plays from 6-7pm.  Then Papa Doo Run Run plays the best hits of the Beach Boys from 7-10pm.  Beer garden open, 5-10pm, with other food for sale by local civic organizations.

 Thursday, July 4:

 Open House at Women’s Club, 8am.

4^th of July Parade, 10am.

Community Picnic, 12 noon – 5pm, Memorial Park

Lawn Games, hosed by Civic Club, 12 noon.

Live Dixieland music by Night Blooming Jazzmen, noon-4pm.

Movie:  “Monsters Inc” shown in bandshell at 9pm.

 Saturday, July 6:

 Band Organ rally, Memorial Park, 9am-4pm.

The complete parade lineup (over 100 entries) will be mailed to all Sierra Madre residents later this week.  Look for it in your mailbox this Saturday!

4^th of July T-Shirts For Sale

The decorative 4^th of July T-shirts are still for sale at Pantorium, The Bottle Shop and K’s Deli in Sierra Madre. They come in all adult and children’s sizes, and cost $15 each.  The 4^th of July T-shirt is a major fundraiser for the 4^th of July Committee, which pays for our town’s Independence Day celebration.

The Official Parade Program will be sent to all Sierra Madre addresses and should be received by June 29.

“MONSTERS INC.” Film Shown 4^th of July Night

 “Monsters Inc.,” a popular animated family film, will be shown in the band shell at Memorial Park on the night of July 4, beginning at 9 p.m.  The film features the voices of John Goodman and Billy Crystal, and received great reviews.

Those who wish to view the film should bring chairs or blankets to sit on, and make sure to bring a Walkman or portable FM radio so you can hear the sound track of the movie.

The movie is free.

The last event of 4^th of July, 2002, will be the Band Organ display all day on July 6 in Memorial Park. This year they are adding a display of antique music boxes inside the senior center.

Extremely Rare 1939 Staff Car To Head Parade

It’s not everyone who has a 1939 Dodge military staff car to run around in but Wayne Moreira of Temple City is perfectly willing to share. And share he will in the Fourth of July Parade in Sierra Madre this year.  He’s driving the car as a Veterans of Foreign Wars entry and it will immediately follow the Color Guard in the Sierra Madre parade. Wayne’s family maintains the car as original owners. It is one of 13 made and it consists of Dodge, Plymouth and Chrysler parts. “And it’s hard to get parts for it,” Wayne laughed recently.

His father purchased the car in 1955 at a surplus auction in Hawaii where five generations of the Moreira family were born. Usually, such “finds” were sold to the military. This car is the only one of the 13 to survive.

Wayne’s dad paid $500 for it in ‘55. In 1974, he asked Wayne if he’d like to buy the car, and Wayne acquiesced and took over ownership. Wayne had moved to the Mainland in 1960 so the car was shipped across the Pacific to Temple City, CA, and Wayne has maintained it since.

During WWII, the Moreiras (Wayne’s father and uncles) were employed as maintenance contractors, servicing carriers, battleships, cruisers and destroyers that were brought into Pearl Harbor from active duty. Their business was on Ford Island which is in the middle of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Another branch of the family became fliers, transporting Navy airplanes from Oahu, Hawaii to Washington State, Oakland and Long Beach, California.

From the time the family owned the military staff car until now it has graced various parades.  “Unfortunately, my dad painted the dark green car black but you can still see the bullet holes.”  Bullet holes? What bullet holes?  Wayne explained, “There are 10 Japanese 7 mm bullet holes on one side of the car. And a lot of that black paint has sloughed off so you can see the original dark green color.”

On Dec. 7, 1941, Wayne’s mother was at home even though her husband and his brothers were three miles away at Pearl Harbor. She watched the bombing and strafing from their home, not aware of whether or not her husband had survived. Four days later the men came home “in such disarray,” according to Wayne. The men continued working at Pearl Harbor during the war.

“We feel fortunate to have this great old car and want to share it. It’s a part of history. We take no credit for what it stands for.”  He added, “It’s in pretty good shape. There’s a little rust here and there but the interior is original.” Wayne stated that a Chrysler representative came out to look it over and, ultimately, verified it for the Walter P. Chrysler Club. Forrest Pasaki (of Sierra Madre) brought over an authority on all brands of military vehicles, also Wayne concluded, “It’s perfect for this parade.” Wayne is a retired mechanical engineer.

Two Bands Highlighted For Evening of July 3


The Lampreys, from Lancaster, CA, will perform “surf instrumental” tunes.  Founder Chris Koza remarked “we sound similar to The Ventures”, a surf guitar band that was popular in the 1960s.  The Lampreys began only a few years ago, and have played numerous venues in the high desert area.

Headliner band Papa Doo Run Run consists of five fellows, two of whom have been together since 1965. Their name is derived from the background line of Jan & Dean’s “New Girl In School.” These Beach Boys sound-alikes are known for their four-part harmony.

They started as a garage band in Cupertino, near Santa Cruz, and such group as Van Halen and the Doobie Brothers were opening acts for them, when these bands were still in their garage band era.

They stuck together in the ‘60s and ‘70s, then really found success with “Be True To Your School” (1975, RCA), produced by their friend, Bruce Johnston, of the Beach Boys. That single made the top 40 charts nationally and No. 1 in California, earning them “Kahuna” status among the veteran surf legends at that time. The flip side was a song called “Disney Girls” which opened the door for what was to become a 15-year run at Disneyland as the “celebrity house band.”

Throughout the late ‘70s they toured with Jan & Dean as their opening act and back-up band. In the ‘80s they toured and recorded with members of the Beach Boys.  In 1988, Papa was dubbed “California’s Band” by then-Gov. George Dukmejian. Four years later they added a former member of the Beach Boys to their line-up.

The band includes Don Zirilli, keyboards and vocals; Jim Rush, bass and vocals (both who have been original members since 1965); Randall Kirsch, who has performed with everyone from the Byrds to the Beach Boys on guitar and vocals ; Bobby Gothar, who has shared the stage with Lee Greenwood and Merle Haggard on guitar and vocals ; and, finally, studio drummer Bo Fox who throughout the ‘80s toured with Jimmy Buffett and the Eagles.

Highlights of their history so far include two Gold Record awards, a Grammy award nomination, nine charted singles, albums and EPs, appearance in and soundtrack album for CBS-TV movie “Deadman’s Curve,” and they have  performed at eight Super Bowls, two inaugurations, two World’s Fairs, and two Olympics.

Received 6/5/02
4th of July T-Shirts
Hank Landsberg, chairman of the 4th of July Committee, announced that the new 4th of July T-shirt will be available Saturday, June 8, at the following locations: Pantorium Cleaners, K’s Deli and The Bottle Shop. The cost is $15 each. The proceeds help pay for our 4th of July celebration, which is a 3-day event for 2002.

These colorful T-shirts come in all adult and children’s sizes, from small child to XXL adult, according to Jack Wolfe who is responsible for distributing them.

Click to enlarge This year’s design features historic “postcards” of well-known landmarks in Sierra Madre, as well as the traditional American flag and fireworks. Also shown is a town dog which has become a tradition on 4th of July T-shirts, according to Councilman Doug Hayes who is in charge of design of the shirts.


Webmaster's note: Click here for the 4th of July main page

Received 5/14/02

4th of July information is now available via phone:

Just call (626) 306-1150, then press #4. Details about all 4th of July
activities can be heard, as well as how to get a Parade Application to be in
the 4th of July Parade.

Received 5/1/02

Sierra Madre 4th of July Committee
Sierra Madre 4th of July Committee is seeking nominations for the 2002 4th of July Parade Grand Marshal. The Grand Marshal will lead this year’s 4th of July Parade at 10 a.m.on July 4.

Parade marshals are traditionally those Sierra Madreans who give special talents to the community, who are known for their altruism in Sierra Madre.

Anyone having suggestions should notify the committee at: 4th of July Committee, P.O. Box 1073, Sierra Madre 91025-1073. Nominations close at noon on Saturday, May 25.

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