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Written and produced by Tracy Perry
Ahooga, ahooga!
That’s the familiar sound heard on the Fourth of July as Model A’s roll down Mission Street during South Pasadena’s festive Independence Day parade.
The Santa Anita A’s, an organization dedicated to the restoration, preservation, and enjoyment of the Model A Ford, will again provide the cars carrying many dignitaries in the city’s Festival of Balloons Fourth of July parade.
It provides the opportunity for its members to enjoy a wide range of activities all focused on the Model A Ford. “Our goal is to educate the public about the Model A’s and have fun while doing it,” explained Marlin Perry, a club member who also serves on the Festival of Balloon’s committee, which annually plans the festive day, starting with a morning pancake breakfast at the local fire station to an extravagant fireworks show when the sun goes down.
The Santa Anita A’s, now in its 39th year, is a non-profit organization located in Arcadia, with its membership coming primarily from the San Gabriel Valley. The club is a chartered member of a national Model A organization, the Model A Ford Club of America (MAFCA). Members receive a bi-monthly magazine from the national organization, which includes articles of interest to the membership.
Santa Anita A’s general membership meetings are held on the last Friday of every month, except in December when a holiday party is held. Monthly meetings feature a guest speaker who presents a program on a subject of interest to the members. Meetings, which also include refreshments and a raffle, are held at the Temple City Live Oak Park Community Room at 7 p.m.
The San Gabriel Valley Model A club (MARC) will also participate in the South Pasadena’s 4th of July Parade. San Gabriel Valley MARC is also a non-profit organization in the San Gabriel Valley. Many members belong to both the Santa Anita A’s and MARC.
San Gabriel Valley MARC Club’s general membership meetings are held on the third Tuesday of every month, except in December when a holiday party is held. Meetings, slated for 7 p.m., featuring speakers, a raffle and refreshments, are also held at the Temple City Live Oak Park Community Room.
Perry said both car organizations are looking forward to another Fourth of July in South Pasadena.
“Before the parade we will enjoy coffee and donuts at a member’s home and after the parade we will have a hot dog lunch at another members home,” he said, “making this a very enjoyable day.”
