UC Santa Cruz hopes to widen community awareness of the university through its participation in this year’s 4th of July Parade in downtown Watsonville. Historically, upwards of 15,000 people line Main Street to cheer on various local and regional organizations.
Audries Blake, associate director of community relations, is spearheading efforts to increase the university’s engagement countywide, with a particular focus on South County.
“This is a great place for UC Santa Cruz to celebrate the city’s time-treasured parade with the community, where thousands of people from around the city, and the region gather. I believe walking in the parade will allow people to see us, and learn that we are there to celebrate them, and the broader community,” says Blake.
Campus employees—faculty, administrators, and staff and their families—are invited to volunteer by walking as a group in the parade. It’s expected that participants will meet in Watsonville at 12pm, and walk an .8 mile route, waving to people lining the parade route. Sign up here to join the fun!
An online orientation will be held to give those who sign up an overview of the event, answer questions, and provide any last-minute updates.
The parade runs from 12-3 pm. For more information, email Audries Blake at arblake@ucsc.edu.
