Posted 5/11/12 – The volunteer Sierra Madre 4th of July Committee announceed today that the 2012 Fourth of July Parade Grand Marshals will be Nel and Bob Solt, the owners of the southern property of the two on which the Wistaria Vine sits (the northern property was purchased in 2011 by Tony Held). According to the qualifications for nominations, “The Grand Marshal is a person’s whose efforts over a long period of time has been beneficial to the community of Sierra Madre. The title of Grand Marshal is intended to honor a person’s volume of work, dedication and overall enhancements to our city.”
Since 1972, when they purchased the property at Hermosa and Carter Ave, Nel and Bob Solt have graciously opened their property to allow thousands of people to visit the world-famous Wistaria Vine during Sierra Madre’s signature event, the Wistaria Festival, held each March. For forty years, not only have they opened their property to outsiders on the day of the festival, but for days in advance, with media day, docent training day, equipment drop off and pick up day, and more. The Festival which surrounds the tours of the vine is a major fundraiser for the Chamber of Commerce, and most of the businesses in the downtown that are open that day find that is among their best sales day for the year.
Anyone interested in registering to participate in the 5K Firecracker Fun Run or in the 4th of July Parade can do so online at www.cityofsierramadre.com/onlineregistration. For more information on all of the 4th of July Festivities, please call 626.355.5278.