Roger Rhoten, who has devoted much of his adult life to the preservation and enhancement of the historic Sebastiani Theatre, has also spent one special day each year, for the last four decades (?), riding a classic Penny Farthing in the Fourth of July parade. The Penny Farthing – named for the juxtaposition of a large and small wheel, not unlike the very large British Penny, and the much smaller farthing, worth a quarter of a penny. Once the world’s most popular bicycle, with a five-foot-high front wheel, a seat attached even higher on a long curved frame, and a small rear wheel, the Penny Farthing was a challenge to ride, even for young cyclists, and Roger is now an octogenarian.
So there was speculation that this year’s Fourth of July parade might be Roger’s last on the big wheeler. But he navigated the parade route successfully and the answer to that question will have to wait another year.
Meanwhile, fair weather, an abundance of floats and a large crowd of young and old crowded the Sonoma Plaza July 4 to continue a tradition that has grown into a Bay Area favorite parade.
But amidst the giant sunflowers, the classic cars, beauty queens, local celebrities and honorees, there was one notably, tragically missing element.
In the 90-minutes of celebrating the nation’s birth, there was not a single Latino presence – no high-stepping horses with proud caballeros in the saddle, no multi-colored indigenous dancers, in fact virtually no sign of the population comprising 60 percent of public school attendance in Sonoma Valley, no sign of the culture and tradition older than the town, the Valley, the State.
Why? Unquestionably, the real threat of an ICE assault on the Valley’s Latino population wasn’t a risk its members were willing to take. Further evidence of the impoverishing impact of the Trump/Stephen Miller frenzied assault on the diverse, equitable and inclusive world most of us want to live in.
Meanwhile, enjoy the images of those who came.
— David Bolling
David Bolling’s observation regarding the absence of hispanic culture at our July 4 parade is profoundly sad. Independence Day is a celebration of freedom for all.
Thank you, David Bolling for articulating the same thoughts I had as I watched our parade. At first, I too was captured by the beautiful day and spirit in our wonderful community and felt the joy. However…as the monstrous, macho machine chosen by MacArthur Place to represent them (why??…what was that?!?) passed by, it suddenly hit me: where are our beloved latino/hispanic neighbors and friends??… I asked the woman seated next to me who said she had it “on good authority” La Luz was not participating out of caution and fear.
I left the parade in tears.
The insideous effects of the dastardly, cruel Administration dominating our country are seeping even into our special and cherished community. God help us.
I understand and feel for the folks who have chosen to migrate to the USA illegally. This is a topic which has many, and I mean many, perspectives, points of view, and can be discussed, debated, questioned and so on.
I sympathize with folks being afraid, yet, I also have to bring forth the obvious, if you’re here illegally, what did you think was going to happen? Every action we take has consequences, good and bad.
If our society is one that respects the rule of law and order, what happens when you do not respect it from the start and migrate illegally into the country? Past administrations performed deportations, raids, and other forms of immigration enforcement (the most notable being Obama as the deporter in Chief), yet most folks were and still remain silent regarding that.
Our legal system isn’t broken, but the laws have not been enforced for a very long time. The current administration is enforcing them very publicly which indeed can cause grief, angst, and fear.
I say this though, if you are here legally, if you migrated legally, then you have nothing to hide, and nothing to fear, even if you happen to have an interaction with an ICE agent.
We are all architects of our lives, and our choices will bring forth consequences which we must be able to deal with.
4th July 2025 “La Luz was not participating out of caution and fear.”???
And yet two months earlier: The 2025 Sonoma Valley Cinco de Mayo Celebration, was presented by La Luz Center, took place on May 4 from 12 PM to 6 PM. The event provided accessible and culturally relevant activities, food, and performances for our community while also featuring informational and well-being booths.