Atascadero’s youth bring new life to the event
by Christianna Marks and Maylia Baird
ATASCADERO — North County residents braved the heat on Thursday, July 4, to experience Atascadero’s 7th Annual 4th of July Music Festival. The free patriotic event took place at the Atascadero Lake Park from 4 to 8 p.m. and fun was had by all.
Like years before, the event was put on by and benefited Atascadero Colony Days. Everyone who aided in the special day was a volunteer, from the bands to the food vendors. Everyone was there to celebrate their freedoms in America.
Of course, the main entertainment of the music festival, Bremen Town and Way Out West, pulled in a couple hundred people. Both bands played their bluegrass-infused tunes to an excited audience. But it was the surprise entertainment between the main music acts that added something unique to this year’s festivities.
“An event like July 4, celebrating the birthday of our country, it’s just like a family event and an all-ages event, and I really want to create a place for the children of our community to be featured as well,” said Event Director Dianne Greenaway from Atascadero Colony Days.
The surprise entertainment included three first-grade students from San Benito Elementary School singing patriotic songs for the audience. They were even joined by three of their respective siblings to sing “You’re a Grand Old Flag.”
“When the kids finished, the audience erupted in applause,” added Greenaway.
In addition one of Atascadero’s High School Greybots volunteered to play “The Star Spangled Banner” on trumpet.
“I’m telling you. It was magical. He played. The audience rose to their feet silently; they just stood just spontaneously and just stood in silent attention,” Greenaway continued. “Our children added something very special and unexpected to the day.”
This year, the food booth was run by the California Rifle and Pistol Association (CRPA) local chapter called SLO County Gun Owners, which is based in Atascadero. They sold corn dogs, hot dogs, chips, and drinks.
“We worked as a sponsor doing the food. We were able to supply free meals to our Boy Scout Color Guard and any veterans,” said local CRPA chairman Tom Nisbet. “We kept it very basic, and it was all cooked on Traegers.”
The Atascadero Printery Foundation also served beverages, including beer and wine, for the adults in attendance, and the Atascadero Middle School Robotics team sold root beer floats and corn on the cob. The Greybots and the Christian Motorcycle Club were also there, lending a hand.
“It’s real exciting to see people having good fun and celebrating our country,” added Nisbet.
Parked cars crowded every road and side street near Templeton Park this Fourth of July. Patriotic floats, decked-out trailers, old classic cars, trucks, a mariachi band, dancing horses, and even a mobile ax-throwing trailer filled the streets and paraded the park last Thursday morning.
The park itself was filled with red, white, and blue pop-up tents and wagons. Everyone dressed up in theme, with face paint, cowboy hats, and boots. Thanks to this holiday and much-needed break, families were able to enjoy themselves and each other’s company. Many relaxed in lounge chairs as they watched the parade while their children were able toplay and run around freely. This year’s theme for the parade was “Independence Day, the Templeton way,” and they definitely achieved that expectation.
Rachel Farmer from San Luis Obispo explained how she and her family have been attending this event in Templeton for the past six years and that they love the small-town atmosphere that this Fourth of July parade provides. “I live in San Luis and there really isn’t anything like this in San Luis Obispo city,” Farmer said.
Many participants expressed how much they love this tradition, how fortunate they feel to live in a small town and feel like they are part of a strong community.
Jenny Johnson from San Miguel explained how it was her first time attending this parade. “I’ve had goosebumps and chills watching the different floats go by and I think it represents a strong small community here in our county.”
Those who live here are proud of their town and it definitely shows. Tom Bolton from Atascadero said, “I think that this is a great town, great parade, has a small town feel, and very patriotic. I think these people love their town. They are proud of it.”
Templeton has been hosting this parade for over 40 years. It was originally started by the Kiwanis Club of Templeton and then turned over to the Templeton Rotary Club. In addition to being a fun, family-friendly patriotic occasion, this parade also serves as a charitable event. Jason Tesarz, chairman of the Templeton Rotary Club’s parade, described how all proceeds from donations go toward funding scholarships for Templeton high school graduates.
“We do both college and vocational scholarships,” he says. “We also send kids to a leadership camp put on by Rotary International once a year.”
Donations help give back to the community. They make it possible to award scholarships to our local high school graduates, which aids their transition into college.
