Danville readies for annual 4th of July parade

As the town of Danville gears up for the annual Kiwanis Club 4th of July parade, town officials advise residents of several street closures and a new drought-related regulation.

For the first time, this year residents are asked to refrain from putting chalk or tape on the sidewalks to mark off their desired viewing spot for the parade.

Due to drought-related water restrictions, businesses will not be able to power wash the sidewalks after the parade, which would result in chalk and tape residue remaining on the ground for an extended period of time, town officials said in a statement this week.

Chairs can be placed on the sidewalks after 6 p.m. Friday. The parade is set to begin at 9 a.m. on Independence Day.

Residents are also asked not to block handicap-accessible ramps at street corners when placing chairs on the sidewalks Friday night.

Several downtown streets will be closed to motorists from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday including:

* Danville Boulevard between El Cerro Boulevard and Railroad Avenue

* Railroad Avenue between Hartz Avenue and Love Lane

* Love Lane between Railroad and Verona avenues

* La Gonda Way between El Cerro and Danville boulevards

* Hartz Avenue between Railroad Avenue and Hartz Way

* San Ramon Valley Boulevard between Hartz Way and Sycamore Valley Road

* Westbound Sycamore Valley Road and Remington Loop between San Ramon Valley Boulevard and Sheri Lane

Danville Boulevard from El Cerro Boulevard north, Del Amigo Road, Verona Avenue and San Ramon Valley Boulevard south of Sycamore Valley Road west will remain open to traffic, officials said.

Public parking will be available in the Front Street and Railroad Avenue municipal parking lots, Clock Tower parking lot, the park and ride lot on Sycamore Valley Road, and the Danville Library/Community Center parking lot. Disabled-persons parking will be available at Diablo Road at Front Street.

This year’s parade theme is “Kids on Bikes — Smart, Safe, & Healthy.” In a partnership with Street Smarts San Ramon Valley, organizers chose the theme in an effort to highlight the fun, health benefits and safety of bicycling.

The annual parade is the Kiwanis Club’s primary fundraiser, which to date has generated more than $1 million for local community service organizations to provide programs and opportunities for the youth and elderly of the San Ramon Valley, organizers said.

For more information about the parade, contact town economic development manager Jill Bergman at 314-3369 or jbergman@danville.ca.gov, or visit the Kiwanis Club website.