It was about African-American heritage and a proud future.

"I think it's cool," Tianya Gaddis, 15, remarked from her spot in the crowd gathered across from the 30th annual Black Cowboys Parade viewing stand on 14th Street at Frank Ogawa Plaza. "It's about everybody's talents and what they can do. ... It's creative."

Her 6-year-old cousin, Jazon Blasher, said that while he liked the array of horses, drum corps and marching bands, his favorite part of the parade was the dancing. Jazon bopped in place to demonstrate.

Nearly 500 people lined the sidewalks of 14th Street to enjoy the pageantry. Oakland Black Cowboy Association President Wilbert F. McAlister, a six-shooter holstered low on his hip, tag-teamed with "Cowboy Richard Smithy Smith" to announce entrants, energize spectators and provide historical insights about African-Americans who ranged the Old West.

Mid-way through the parade, Gregory McDowell spurred his quarterhorse into lengthy dance to a hip-hop tune. McDowell stood on the equine's spine and tipped his hat to the cheering crowd before dropping back into the saddle and cantering toward Broadway.

"That was a beautiful thing," said Jim Smith, whose peers in the Soul line dancer group were stepping into place at the viewing stand.

Smith, who turned a vibrant 73 years old a day earlier, was aptly dressed in cuffed black denim jeans, a collarless checkered shirt, a stitched gray vest, and one of his half-dozen pairs of cowboy boots.

"We are here for celebration," Smith said as 50 East Bay seniors with Soul launched into a line dance in matching blue shirts and black pants. "Keep an eye on Rudy. ... He's crippled, but he can get down."

A row of hip, barely hip-high, young hoofers from the Fruitvale Superstars undulated before the announcers moments later. Among those to follow were riders on Harley-Davidson machines and whose colors were those of the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club, named in tribute to the exclusively black cavalry and infantry unit acclaimed for its prowess in battle after the Civil War.

Miss Black America Teen, radiant in a bold red gown, knocked the quick-lipped announcers off stride as she rode slowly past in the back of a white Cadillac convertible.

The parade that began at de Fremery Park and traveled along 14th Street to Broadway wrapped up by 2 p.m. People wandered back to the park for festivities that included pony rides and the presentation of trophies to participants.

The Oakland Tribune: Cityside
Leanne McLaughlin, Managing Editor
(510) 208-6447
(510) 208-6477 Fax##
lmclaughlin@angnewspapers.com Email