Frontier Days Fourth of July Parade

The strip of Main Street between Commercial Street and East Valley Street gets a holiday-themed makeover on the morning of July 4 as the annual parade kicks off and turns the normally busy Main Street into a red, white and blue extravaganza.

Community members and visitors from all over the county and beyond line the sidewalks of historic downtown Willits to watch the glitter, horses, dancers, floats, balloons, gunfighters, bands, flags, tractors -- and usually a surprise or two -- march down Main Street.

Several entrants have made the parade an annual or generational tradition for their families - some riding since they were just little buckaroos including members of the Standley, Persico, and many other families.

Annual favorites include the winning and runner-up Willits Frontier Days Sweetheart contestants, the current Grand Marshall and Heritage Award Winners, Roots of Motive Power antique logging equipment, Willits Horsemen's Association, Willits Police Department,…