BY ZACHERY RAMOS
The Westside Express
Main Street in Gustine came alive with star-spangled spirit this Fourth of July as hundreds of families lined the sidewalks for the city’s annual Independence Day Parade. With American flags waving, music echoing down the blocks, and children scrambling for candy, the parade was a perfect display of community pride, creativity, and tradition.
Leading this year’s parade as Grand Marshal was a man whose service to Gustine runs deep—retired Fire Chief Pat Borelli. A beloved figure in town, Borelli served the Gustine Fire Department with dedication for decades, not just as a firefighter, but as a mentor, leader, and constant supporter of youth and civic programs. Cheers erupted as his name was announced from the announcer’s booth as he drove by.
“It was awesome being honored and selected to be Grand Marshal,” said Borelli. “A lot of people came out, and my wife and I had a great time being part of it.”
“There was no one more deserving than Pat,” added lifelong resident Carla Mendes. “He’s always been there when the town needed him. I loved seeing him up there today.”
Another moving moment came as veterans from the community were honored with roaring applause as they rode proudly down Main Street and they were followed by restored military vehicles driven by the local Military Vehicle Collectors club. With American flags waving from every corner, the sight served as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made for the freedoms being celebrated.
“My dad served, and it meant so much to see the veterans being honored like that,” said local mom Sarah Winters, who brought her kids to the parade. “It’s important for our children to see that and understand where our freedom comes from.”
Floats from all corners of the Westside filled the parade route with color and character, from tractors draped in bunting to local royalty waving from convertible tops. One of the crowd favorites was DJ Dan’s float, which not only had the beats bumping but also handed out hotdogs directly to the crowd.
“My son was so excited to get a hotdog from DJ Dan’s float!” laughed parent Chris Gutierrez. “That was such a cool and fun touch—it made the whole parade feel more interactive and alive.”
The parade was also filled with heartfelt nostalgia and hometown pride, with many pointing to the young pageant queens and kings representing their communities as a highlight.
“It’s just the sweetest thing to see all the little queens and kings from around the area,” shared grandmother Elena Ramos. “You had Hilmar, Gustine, Newman, and Pattersons courts all in full pride today. Their smiles light up the whole street!”
Another showstopper was the Gustine City Band, which drew loud cheers as they performed classic patriotic tunes and crowd favorites.
“They’re always a hit,” said Lucas Silva. “You can just feel everyone perk up when the band starts playing. It gives me chills every time.”
The event was organized by the Gustine Chamber of Commerce and volunteers, and the community’s hard work didn’t go unnoticed.
“This year’s parade was truly one of the best we’ve ever had,” said Judy Gandy, Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce. “The energy, the floats, the crowd—it was just a beautiful day to be from Gustine.”
Families new and old came together to celebrate not just the country’s independence but the strength and unity of their small town. The laughter, applause, and community connection were shown from start to finish.
