Story and photos by Charles James

Independence is a small town with a big heart and a long history. Its name alone is perfect for hosting a Fourth of July Parade and the country’s Independence. They hosted an all-day-long celebration complete with fireworks and plenty of food.

Forest Pound and Mira Inbar with daughter, Acacia, and grandmother, Tamara Cohn

The day began with the Flag Raising Ceremony followed by a pancake breakfast. While some were eating breakfast, others were in the 4K/10K Run-Walk. Arts & Crafts booths opened on the courthouse lawn and then at 10 a.m., the Parade began. It is blessedly quirky and quick…and if you somehow missed it when it started, don’t worry, it works its way back down Main Street again back to where it began!

It’s not just residents of Independence and Lone Pine that attend the celebration. Many visitors and vacationers join in the festivities. Just a few were:

Lone Pine High School Golden Eagles Cheerleaders (1)

Aaron and Joyce Arnold of Corona, Calif., came to town with their children Elise, age 7, Braylon, age 5, and Ariana, age 16. Originally from Independence, Joyce wanted her family to see the town where she grew up as a girl.

Another former resident, Andrew Howe, were at the parade with his wife, Nicole and their one-year-old daughter, Madison. Andrew and Nicole are graduates of Lone Pine High School)

Cody and Lena Lawson with grandmother Maria Sebazco, six-year-old grandson Cage and one-and-a-half-year-old , Sloane (1)

Lena and Cody Lawson of Bishop watched the parade along with Lena’s mother, Maria Sebazco. They were joined by the Lawson’s six-year-old son, Cage, and 18-month-old daughter, Sloane.

Cody is a dispatcher for the Bishop Police Department and Lena works at the Owens Valley School District and oversaw organizing this year’s 4K/10K Run-Walk.

From the United Kingdom (and Spain…and Italy) the Hale Family. George, age 8, Emma, age 9, and Charlie, age 15, taking a tour of western states (2)

The Hale Family from the United Kingdom attended the July 4^th celebrations. The Hales are taking their son, George, age 8, Emma, age 9, and Charlie, age 15, on a tour of western states, including the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, and Yosemite National Park.

Katie Floyd with daughters Riley, age 10, and Julia, age 1

Parade Grand Marshall, Annette Woods

Andrew Howe with wife, Nicole and one-year-old Madison (1)

Katie Floyd (formerly Howe) of Independence was at the parade with her daughters Riley, age 10, and Julia, age 1. Katie is originally from Independence and her family has just moved back to town.

The winners of the 4K/!0K Race-Walk were:

First Place—Inyo County resident, Benjamin Mitchell with a time of 18:55.

Second Place—Pacific Coast Trail Hiker Daniel Orozco with a time of 24.36

Third Place—Inyo County resident Tom Hardy with a time of 26:36

The winning awards for the Independence 4th of July Parade 2019 were:

SWEEPSTAKES – Jake’s Saloon “Proudly Serving those who Serve”

JUDGES’ AWARD – Manzanar National Historic Site honoring the family of Mae Kageyama Kakehash.

Aaron and Joyce Arnold with Elise , age 7, Braylon, age 5, and Ariana, age 16 , from Corona (1)

BEST OF THEME – Friends of the Eastern California Museum “Guiding Stars of Independence”

Bishop Police Office Josh Ellsworth riding with Inyo County Sheriff Jeff Hollowell

MOST PATRIOTIC – Panamint Springs Chapter of the Daughters of the American Republic “Remembering the Stars of Women’s History and the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment”

STAR SPANGLED YOUTH – Lone Pine Varsity Cheerleading Squad “Promoting school spirit and community pride”

Rounding out the day was a Deep Pit Barbeque and Grand Finale Fireworks Display at the Independence Airport.