Pleasant Ridge neighbors band together for July 4th parade

With COVID-19 having scuttled a downtown La Conner Independence Day parade, neighbors on Pleasant Ridge put together a holiday serpentine of their own – one smaller, but still festive and with many participants’ masks accentuating red, white and blue garb.

The vintage white La Conner fire truck helped lead the way south from the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery on Valentine Road, joined by tractors, all-terrain vehicles, children riding bicycles or being pulled in wagons, family cars and trucks and included 95-year-old sage Fred Mesman on his electric scooter.

“I was amazed at the turnout,” said Alyssa Oczkewicz, who organized the event. “I really thought we’d end up with a couple of cars, most of them being my family. I couldn’t believe the lineup when we rounded the corner.”

For Oczkewicz’s son, Dean, who served as parade grand marshal, it was a July 4th not to be forgotten, either.

“He shed some tears before bed because he had so much fun and wants to do it again next year,” Oczkewicz said. “I told him it depends where we are at with social distancing.”

“It was amazing,” said Debbie Denton, whose grandchildren, seven-year-old Casen Lyons and 18-month-old Kaia Lyons took part. “From what I could tell every house from the cemetery south participated either as a spectator or participant. People brought their grandchildren and made it a family affair.

“Everyone loved it and the message shared was ‘God Bless America,’” Denton added. “The best part is we all got to see our kids and grandkids happy for the first time in months. It’s like they emerged from their shells.”

Oczkewicz said neighbors told her afterward that the impromptu parade was a welcome display of unity and patriotism during a period fraught with a global pandemic and civil strife.

“I think it was a moral boost we all needed,” she said.