06/18/2026
Join the Our Land Acoustical Band for this year's Modesto July parade and help us share something magnificent with the people of Modesto. It's free, it's fun, it's musical and in service of our community.
The details
You will march in front of the float playing along with the band Float On! Performing our extended version of the song Birthday by The Beatles in support of the theme of this year's parade,Happy 250th Birthday USA. We need singers, acoustic instrument players, and people playing various forms of handheld percussion instruments. Kazoo's welcome! You are going to really play! We want the instruments to be in tune and you can come rehearse with us at VMI on Mondays at 7:30 until the Fourth of July. We will provide lyrics with chords. The music is fairly simple except the arrangement is a little complex. You will not be electrified, but the parade goers will be able to hear and see you.
The history
The Valley Music Institute has been involved in the Modesto July Parade since 2013. Every year, except two, we have had an entry in the parade and every year, except one, we have received either the sweepstakes award, which means best float in the entire parade, or the best in our category. Last year for Fourth of July was the first time we did not have the amazing partnership of Roberts Auto Sales and My Little Balloon Co. We still managed to take home the gold, which was unexpected and an incredible blessing. Sadly, with the death of Doug Roberts, our former partnership is over. We had a good run and God bless Doug's family, business partners, and employees.
Now we are partnered with Care Collision and Beyer Cheer and, with your help we're gonna try to do it again.
