Independence Day to be celebrated at Anza Days

The Anza Days Parade is one the community’s most anticipated events of the year.

Community members can be found coming out of the wordwork to join in the long-time traditional activities.

The event will be held Saturday, July 2 in several locations around town.

The Anza Days Parade will include a line-up of floats that will start at Barhman Road, beginning at 11 a.m., and make there way down Highway 371. Joining the floats will be groups of equestrian riders, classic cars, and tractors.

To kick off the celebration, the local Lions Club will hold a Friday night barbecue that will start at 6 p.m. at the Community Hall. The Lions Club plans to wrap up the meat and cook it for several hours which will make it turn out very tender and juicy. Expect to be served the “world famous” pinto beans, salad, tortillas and dessert. The meal will be $7.

The barbecue will be held as one of the many Lions Club’s yearly fundraisers for its ongoing mission to give back to the community.

“The Lions Club has to give the money back,” said Carl Simmons, Lions Club member and co-chairman of the Anza Days Parade. “They can’t keep it.”

The money raised from the dinner may go towards the Lions Club annual awards dinner which is held every fall. The awards dinner recognizes outstanding community organizations and honors them with a monetary gift of appreciation.

“The Friday night barbecue is when they announce who will be Miss Anza,” said Simmons. “I know there have been a lot of girls out there working hard selling tickets.”

On the day of the parade, the Thimble Club will serve a pancake breakfast with sausage, scrambled eggs, coffee, and juice. The breakfast will be held from 7 to 10 a.m. Cost will be $5 for adults and $3 for children.

“One or two ladies volunteers each year to do the breakfast,” said Annie Ashby, president of the Thimble Club. “There’s tons of food. It’s a choice breakfast.”

Ashby said she has seen about 175 to 200 people attend the breakfast each year since she began getting involved eight years ago.

“I’m going to be very optimistic and say we’re going to have a great year,” said Ashby.

“Celebrating America’s Historical Moments” will be the theme of the Anza Days Parade, which was chosen by former Hamilton High School student Nikki McComas.

After-parade activities will roll over to Minor Park where Mark Huston and the Workin’ Men will perform country and rock music live. Vendors will sell food, drinks, and other tasty treats. The Aguanga Horseshoe Pitchers Association has a tournament planned for about 1 p.m. Sign-ups will be held 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

For more information, visit http://www.anzadays.info.