Penngrove readies for 'biggest little parade'

<p>Each year, on the Sunday closest to the Fourth of July, thousands of patriots from near and far crowd tiny downtown Penngrove. They assemble for “The Biggest Little Parade in Northern California” as it cavorts on Main Street, just one-third mile short. </p><p>This Sunday, kicking off at 11 a.m., the 36th annual parade will feature more than 100 official entrants, including trucks, tractors, lawnmowers, floats, vintage cars, military vehicles, school children, equestrians, the mad-cap Nave Italian Marching Group, veterans and their families, and whoever else wants to tag along.</p><p>Afterward, the even older annual picnic in Penngrove Park will feature pit-barbecued beef, chicken, hot dogs, oysters and Penngrove 4-H desserts. The national birthday party continues until 4 p.m. with games, craft booths, music by Charlie Baker and an Old Fashion American Apple Pie Contest. </p><p>But once the crowds go home and the town's 2,500 residents return to their semi-rural ways, four-acre Penngrove Park will continue to serve year-round as a testament to the values of public service and self-sufficiency.</p><p>First purchased and developed in 1952 by the Penngrove Social Firemen, the space has expanded and matured into a beloved, well-tended community commons. </p><p>The first amenities were an event-size barbecue pit, sapling trees, and a covered dining area to provide shade while the trees grew up. Today it also boasts electric lighting, sinks and a wet bar, restrooms, individual barbecue pits and picnic tables, a baseball diamond, playgrounds, swings, horse-shoe pits and open play areas. </p><p>A gazebo bandstand and landmark porch and belfry from the town's first public school lend a historic tone. A groundskeeper lives on-site, watching over the children, families, teens, lovers and older folks who spend time under the now mature trees. It is a cool, serene escape for locals and visitors alike.</p><p>First settled in 1852, little Penngrove remains unincorporated. It has no mayor or city council, no city hall. What it has is the venerable Penngrove Social Firemen.</p><p>The non-profit, open to men and women of all trades, descended from the original volunteer fire department formed in 1928. Its clubhouse often serves as an unofficial Town Hall, where citizens meet to plan improvements to the clubhouse, park, school and town. It's where you go to vote. </p><p>Instead of city taxes, the town relies on fundraisers and rental fees for the Craftsman-style clubhouse and Penngrove Park. At first the events and rentals paid for their maintenance and improvement. Now the town is abuzz year-round , raising money with food feeds, card tournaments, rummage sales, a Truckers Ball and a Hawaiian Luau. Family reunions, company picnics, birthday parties and weddings also bring in income.</p><p>Penngrove Park is located at Main Street and Old Redwood Highway in downtown Penngrove and is open daily 8 a.m.-9 p.m. for casual use. Rentals can be arranged at penngrovesocialfiremen.org.</p><p>Each year, on the Sunday closest to the Fourth of July, thousands of patriots from near and far crowd tiny downtown Penngrove. They assemble for “The Biggest Little Parade in Northern California” as it cavorts on Main Street, just one-third mile short. </p><p>This Sunday, kicking off at 11 a.m., the 36th annual parade will feature more than 100 official entrants, including trucks, tractors, lawnmowers, floats, vintage cars, military vehicles, school children, equestrians, the mad-cap Nave Italian Marching Group, veterans and their families, and whoever else wants to tag along.</p><p>Afterward, the even older annual picnic in Penngrove Park will feature pit-barbecued beef, chicken, hot dogs, oysters and Penngrove 4-H desserts. The national birthday party continues until 4 p.m. with games, craft booths, music by Charlie Baker and an Old Fashion American Apple Pie Contest. </p><p>But once the crowds go home and the town's 2,500 residents return to their semi-rural ways, four-acre Penngrove Park will continue to serve year-round as a testament to the values of public service and self-sufficiency.</p><p>First purchased and developed in 1952 by the Penngrove Social Firemen, the space has expanded and matured into a beloved, well-tended community commons. </p><p>The first amenities were an event-size barbecue pit, sapling trees, and a covered dining area to provide shade while the trees grew up. Today it also boasts electric lighting, sinks and a wet bar, restrooms, individual barbecue pits and picnic tables, a baseball diamond, playgrounds, swings, horse-shoe pits and open play areas. </p><p>A gazebo bandstand and landmark porch and belfry from the town's first public school lend a historic tone. A groundskeeper lives on-site, watching over the children, families, teens, lovers and older folks who spend time under the now mature trees. It is a cool, serene escape for locals and visitors alike.</p><p>First settled in 1852, little Penngrove remains unincorporated. It has no mayor or city council, no city hall. What it has is the venerable Penngrove Social Firemen.</p><p>The non-profit, open to men and women of all trades, descended from the original volunteer fire department formed in 1928. Its clubhouse often serves as an unofficial Town Hall, where citizens meet to plan improvements to the clubhouse, park, school and town. It's where you go to vote. </p><p>Instead of city taxes, the town relies on fundraisers and rental fees for the Craftsman-style clubhouse and Penngrove Park. At first the events and rentals paid for their maintenance and improvement. Now the town is abuzz year-round , raising money with food feeds, card tournaments, rummage sales, a Truckers Ball and a Hawaiian Luau. Family reunions, company picnics, birthday parties and weddings also bring in income.</p><p>Penngrove Park is located at Main Street and Old Redwood Highway in downtown Penngrove and is open daily 8 a.m.-9 p.m. for casual use. Rentals can be arranged at penngrovesocialfiremen.org.</p>