MILL VALLEY, CA – Floats, old-fashioned cars, horses, and even goats traveled down Mill Valley’s Miller Ave as smiling faces lined the street on Sept. 1 during the Mill Valley 125th anniversary parade. The crowd was composed mostly of Mill Valley families and members of the elderly community, but people from all walks of life were present. The parade featured Mill Valley businesses and organizations such as Malugani Tire and the Outdoor Art Club. It concluded in downtown Mill Valley at Lytton Square, where paradegoers could get lunch at the Grilly’s tent or listen to live music provided by Sweetwater and the UC Berkeley marching band.

Those at the parade expressed their gratitude for living in Mill Valley and all the benefits it offers. “It’s a great place for a youngster to grow up. I’m proud to be a part of (Mill Valley),” said Manny Mier, a Mill Valley resident of 49 years. “It’s changed a lot. There are more people and more cars, but it’s still a great place.”

Others said that Mill Valley’s schools and programs for children attracted them to the town. “Grammar school, middle school, and high school were all great experiences for our kids,” said Tom Isley, a father of two and Mill Valley resident. Jenny Douglas, a mother of two former Tam students, shared fond memories of watching her children grow up in Mill Valley. “Our boys learned to ride their bikes in the square. I remember them sitting in the Little School truck (during Memorial Day parades),” Douglas said.

The 125th anniversary celebration highlighted many of Mill Valley’s best aspects, from its strong sense of community to its vibrant local businesses. Despite recent complaints about increasing traffic and low-income housing plans, Mill Valley residents expressed gratitude for their town.