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![\"Alameda](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/EBT-L-4THPARADE-0705-3.jpg\")
Alameda Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft rides a bike and waves to the crowd during a previous July Fourth parade in Alameda. This year will be Ashcraft\u2019s last July Fourth parade as mayor. (Ray Chavez \u2014 staff archives)\u00a0<\/p>\nFrom the New York Knicks winning their first NBA championship in 53 years and the exuberant celebrations that followed to soccer teams from around the world converging on North America to compete in World Cup 2026 \u2014 including the U.S. men\u2019s team making a surprisingly strong showing (I hope I haven\u2019t jinxed anything by saying that) \u2014 we have collectively experienced what New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani called, following the Knicks\u2019 massive ticker-tape parade, \u201ca gift \u2026 to be brought together by pure, unfiltered joy.\u201d
\nAlameda Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft rides a bike and waves to the crowd during a previous July Fourth parade in Alameda. This year will be Ashcraft\u2019s last July Fourth parade as mayor. (Ray Chavez \u2014 staff archives)\u00a0<\/p>\n
Even Alameda is playing a part in World Cup 2026, with the the Australian Socceroos choosing the Oakland Roots and Soul facility at Bay Farm Island\u2019s Harbor Bay Business Park as their \u201cbase training camp.\u201d Socceroos players, staff and Australian fans have reported enjoying the hospitality and friendliness of our island community.<\/p>\n
As the mayor of a \u201cteam base camp\u201d city, I was invited to attend the recent Australia-Paraguay match at Levi\u2019s Stadium in Santa Clara. From the minute I boarded Amtrak\u2019s Capitol Corridor train at Oakland\u2019s Jack London Square station until we arrived at the stadium 55 minutes later, the atmosphere on the (standing-room-only) train was \u201cpure, unfiltered joy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Almost everyone was wearing a team jersey, (I wore my Socceroos\u2019 yellow and green jersey); some added face paint, hats, wigs and, my favorite, waved inflatable kangaroos (looking at you, Team Australia fans). Best of all was the camaraderie \u2014 a good-natured group of people chatting with each other and talking to strangers.<\/p>\n
These days it\u2019s easy to be overwhelmed by the nonstop barrage of alarming news \u2014 of war, disaster, crises and more, but try to find moments of \u201cpure, unfiltered joy,\u201d to \u201crecharge your batteries.\u201d Say hello to a stranger, strike up a conversation. Because we can all use more camaraderie in our lives.<\/p>\n
Beach troubles: Speaking of camaraderie, Alameda is a welcoming city, and we want residents and visitors to enjoy our beautiful beaches and shoreline. However, recent large, unlawful and unruly gatherings at South Shore beach have created risks of serious injury to participants as well as innocent bystanders.<\/p>\n
As a result, this past Saturday, the Alameda Police Department (APD), in collaboration with East Bay Regional Park District police and the Alameda County Sheriff\u2019s Office, employed a proactive, intelligence-led response to a planned, unpermitted event. This successful approach ensured that residents, visitors, and families were able to enjoy Alameda\u2019s beaches and neighboring businesses without disruption.<\/p>\n
If necessary, we are prepared to employ this proactive planning and interagency collaboration again, to ensure that Alameda residents and visitors have a safe, enjoyable summer. Please report public safety concerns to the APD\u2019s nonemergency line at 510-337-8340, or call 911 if you or someone else is in immediate danger of physical harm.<\/p>\n
July Fourth: This year, as we celebrate our nation\u2019s founding 250 years ago with the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, let us reflect on and resolve to defend the democratic principles this country was founded upon. Let\u2019s also remember that the \u201cAmerican experiment\u201d to form a more perfect union is ongoing and that we all have a role to play.<\/p>\n
While Alameda\u2019s July Fourth parade won\u2019t be quite as well attended as the Knicks\u2019 massive ticker-tape parade down New York City\u2019s Broadway (and no hanging from light posts, please), we can claim to host the longest July Fourth parade in the nation!<\/p>\n
This will also be my last July Fourth parade as mayor \u2014 and it has been an incredible honor to serve you these past eight years. Be sure to wave as I ride by on my (Alameda Bicycle loaner) e-bike. Happy Fourth of July! Find some \u201cpure, unfiltered joy!\u201d Defend democracy (vote!), and stay \u201cAlameda Strong!\u201d<\/p>\n