Dutch Flat 4th of July water hijinks and parade

by Therese IknoianSep 3, 2018California

Historic Dutch Flat

Wild and woolly during its Gold Rush days, California’s town of Dutch Flat with a population today of about 200 (“If everybody’s home,” a local adds) turns pretty wild again on July 4^th. The community’s annual parade loops around town, attracting moms, dogs, kids, dolls, old cars, and community leaders. But it’s the water hijinks during the morning’s festivities that bring out the crowds.

On the sidelines, kids and adults alike man their stations with serious water-fight artillery. Forget wimpy squirt guns. Think water blasters, super soakers and buckets, all at the ready to drench anybody and everybody (although the water-ready soldiers respect the likes of cameras, innocent bystanders, old cars, the grand marshal and color guard). And wait till the local CalFire station’s two fire trucks roll past with the granddaddy of super soaker hoses! Says another local preparing for battle, “We take our water fights very seriously here.”

Nobody seems to know when and how the water-fight tradition began, but it has been this way for many decades, if not longer. Cruise through the photo gallery below to get a feel for the Sierra Nevada small town fun and for a Gold Rush community enjoying a Dutch Flat 4th of July! (click on each image to see a full-size version with description).

Red, white and blue

Flags hang all around the town, making for a great photo opp for all.

Grab your seat early

Even the youngest kids take their places early waiting for the water battles to come.

Originally opened in 1852 the Dutch Flat Hotel was renovated and reopened as a retreat, conference center and B&B in the last decade.

Kicked back at Dutch Flat Hotel

Originally opened in 1852 the hotel was renovated and reopened as a retreat, conference center and B&B in the last decade.

Hands up!

He looked threatening but knew better than to take out an innocent camerawoman.

Like most July 4th parades, the Dutch Flat 4th of July parade starts on a serious note with a color guard - and no one sprays water on them out of respect!

Honor the color guard

Like most July 4^th parades, this one too starts on a serious note with a color guard.

Howdy, grand marshal

The grand marshal waves his hat at everybody for two full loops through town (since one loop wouldn’t be long enough).

American girls and dolls

Everybody can march, as did these three friends decked out in red, white and blue with their American Girl dolls.

Flags for all

Don’t have a flag to wave? No problem. We have some for everybody.

A life in Dutch Flat

Margie Jager gets a ride in the parade to celebrate her 80 years (with most of those in Dutch Flat).

Say hi to Margie

Tossing candy and waving to friends and family.

When you bring an old Army truck to the Dutch Flat 4th of July water fight, you know it’s serious.

Well protected for water hijinks

When you bring an old Army truck to a water fight, you know it’s serious.

Tossing flowers, not water balloons (which are prohibited), while towing a cart with a guitar-playing cowboy.

Tossing flowers, playing tunes

Tossing flowers, not water balloons, while towing a cart with a guitar-playing cowboy.

Hold your water guns and super-soaker fire when the old cars roll past.

Antique cars on parade

Hold your fire when the old cars roll past.

Antique snow plow

Hmm, wonder if this still sees use up here in the Sierra Nevada at 3,100 feet?

CalFire is all grins and giggles

Here comes a real SUPER super soaker. Get ready to get wet on a hot day.

No holding back with CalFire

The fire fighters were dripping from their eyelashes and toes…and loving it.

You think the fire fighters just take it? Heck no! Run for your life!

But they fight back

You think they just take it? Heck no! Run for your life!

The adults in Dutch Flat get really serious about their super-soaking blasters.

Not just for kids

The adults get really serious about their super-soaking blasters.

CalFire, Alta Station

The little ones are treated well and even allowed to hold the fire hose sometimes.

You want it? You got it!

Full blast for those who really want it.

Between water fight battles at the Dutch Flat 4th of July parade, it’s important to refill your weapons quickly.

Sideline craziness

Between battles it’s important to refill your weapons quickly.

Hit me if you can

Riding on some floats means you will likely become a target for water.

Star-spangled banner

Waving the colors for the onlookers as the first loop finishes up.

Thumbs up

Lovin’ it! See you next year.

Find more things to do in Northern California

Pin This

Our Most Recent Travel Stories

Make travel important in the New Year – transformative travel is life-changing

It is too easy to get stuck in a grind, in a life that sucks you into a day-to-day routine that leads to being unfit and unhealthy. But, if you make travel important, travel can be your lifesaver, leading you to a fresh start or exposing you to a mind-opening experience that affects you deeply and changes your life forever. Transformative travel is life-changing.

Our top photos from Instagram: best of Instagram 2021

These are our top photos from Instagram – voted on by our followers with their likes, shares, and comments. We hope our best of Instagram 2021 travel photos will help you dream of destinations near and far, and inspire you to start your travel bucket list for 2022.

How to pack for a photo safari: tips for carrying camera gear

How to pack for a photo safari becomes a big question when preparing for your African safari. It’s not really as difficult as you think to travel with your photography gear and then carry it once in Africa. Our photo safari packing tips for camera gear will explain how.