Members of Flavor Company’s, Cultural Dance Fusion dance along route at the Coronado Fourth of July parade. Photo by Chris Stone

Rick and Wendy Tugend have been relying on their bikes the past four days in Coronado.

Rick and Wendy Tugend (seated) of Coronado have attended the Fourth of July Parade for the past 60 years. Photo by Chris Stone

Why? With the holiday traffic, they knew they wouldn’t find another parking spot if they moved their car.

The Tugends, both 65, should know. They have been attending the Coronado Fourth of July parade for 60 years.

“I think it’s fabulous. I wouldn’t miss it,” said Wendy Tugend, who grew up on the connected island and still makes it home.

Thousands of people journeyed by car and ferry to see the 69th annual parade, watch the fireworks and bathe in sea breezes over the holiday weekend.

“It’s an inconvenience,” she said of the crowds, “but it’s totally worth it.”

The couple, with military backgrounds, attended school on the island and helped with parade preparations.

But this year, they declared themselves independent (retired), “so we can sit and watch,” they said, laughing.

Rick Tugend’s favorite units of the 115 entered are bagpipes, clowns and horses, while his wife also enjoys the bagpipes and military groups.

Robin Franck, one of the parade announcers, also has a long tradition with the Crown City parade.

In the 1950s, she rode her bike in the parade along with other Girl Scouts.

Being an announcer is “a great way to serve the community and see the parade, be a part of it — and not have to ride my bike.”

A 71-year-old recently retired anthropologist at Southwestern College, Franck has lived on Coronado all her life.

“I tried to get off the island, but I always came back, and then I decided what the heck,” she said. “This is my home and I’m very active in the community.”

Pearl Harbor survivor Stuart Hedley waves to the crowd. Photo by Chris Stone

Franck is partial to the Pearl Harbor survivors — since her late father was one.

“The Pearl Harbor survivors have the biggest response from the crowd,” each year, Franck said.

Calling the event “competitive and selective,” Franck said the parade committee wants to keep it community oriented, not too commercial or religious.

People begin setting up their blankets and lawn chairs curbside at 5 a.m., she said.

Her other favorite unit is the Winchester Gunslingers (the Hole in the Wall Gang).

“I always try to get those Winchester Gunslingers to smile,” she said. “They like to give you the hard look, and they are not going to smile for you, and every year we try to make them smile.”

Yet another year they gave her a steely look as they passed.

A Blue Star mother rides in the parade. Photo by Chris Stone
Coronado mayor and city council members greet the crowd. Photo by Chris Stone
Rear Adm. Yancy B. Lindsey (right) was one of the grand marshals of the parade. Photo by Chris Stone
A member of the Escondido Mounted Posse greets the crowd as her horse “smiles.” Photo by Chris Stone
The Escondido Mounted Posse led the Coronado Fourth of July parade. Photo by Chris Stone
Chris Cordova, 10, of Tucson enjoys the parade while visiting cousins in Coronado. Photo by Chris Stone
Soldiers re-enact the famous flag-raising photo from Iwo Jima during World War II. Photo by Chris Stone
Pearl Harbor survivor Stuart Hedley along with other survivors were cheered enthusiastically by the crowds. Photo by Chris Stone
A family dressed in patriotic clothing takes a selfie. Photo by Chris Stone
A young boy waves an American flag as a bagpipe unit moves down the parade route. Photo by Chris Stone
A Gold Star mother carried a photo of her son who was killed during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Photo by Chris Stone
Marine Band Southwest entertained spectators along the parade route. Photo by Chris Stone
A member of the Hole in the Wall Gang rides down Orange Avenue in the Fourth of July parade. Photo by Chris Stone
A little boy greets a recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross. Photo by Chris Stone
Jacob Boyles is Sailor of the Year of the Coronado Council Navy League of the U.S. Photo by Chris Stone
A father and son ride along with the Democratic Club of Coronado members. Photo by Chris Stone
Robin Francks has announced the Coronado Fourth of July parade for 18 years. Photo by Chris Stone
Wee Willie the Clown entertains spectators along the parade route. Photo by Chris Stone
A young spectator watches people with high wheeler bikes in the parade in Coronado. Photo by Chris Stone
Hundreds of children were perched on the curbs with their parents along Orange Avenue in Coronado for the parade. Photo by Chris Stone
Families were decked out in patriotic wear along the parade route in Coronado. Photo by Chris Stone
Knights of Columbus family members carry a group of flags down the parade route in Coronado. Photo by Chris Stone
A member of San Diego Star Wars Society shakes hands with a child. Photo by Chris Stone
A member of the Castle Park High School color guard advances marching band. Photo by Chris Stone
A Rotary Cub “chef” tosses foam pancakes on a float in the Coronado Fourth of July Parade. Photo by Chris Stone
A clown with San Diego All-Star Clown Club entertains along Orange Avenue in Coronado in the Fourth of July parade. Photo by Chris Stone
Members of Flavor Company’s, Cultural Dance Fusion dance along route at the Coronado Fourth of July parade. Photo by Chris Stone