William, Yolanda Kim named grand marshals of Fourth of July parade
For nearly five decades, William and Yolanda Kim have been a big part of the Vallejo community.
On July 4th, they'll be front and center.
The owners of William Kim's Taekwondo have been named grand marshals for Vallejo's 171st annual Fourth of July Parade, celebrating the country's 250th birthday. When William and Yolanda were told they were the grand marshals a few weeks ago via a letter from Shelee Loughmiller, 2026 Chair of the Vallejo Parade Association, the couple was honored.
"We were incredibly humbled to be chosen and honored," Yolanda told the Times-Herald on Tuesday, with William listening nearby on speaker phone. "But this is a public recognition. This isn't just us that are being honored. This also belongs to all the students, all the kids, and their kids that have been part of this journey with us."
The couple wasn't the only ones honored. The parade's honorary grand marshal is Tacos Jalisco, a Vallejo staple known for serving authentic Jalisco-style cuisine rooted in quality, tradition, and hospitality. As a family-owned business, they have created a welcoming space for the community to enjoy the flavors of Mexico.
For years, one of the highlights of the annual parade is the demonstrations given by William Kim's Taekwondo, but this year, the couple is looking forward to the ride along the parade route.
"We have known so many people during our time here in Vallejo that when we go up the parade route, there are usually a bunch of people that will wave to us and say, 'Hey, it's the grandmaster king!' So that is always very nice," William said. "But I think my favorite part is seeing all of the diverse community. From the Latin dancers to the horses, and the children representing different sectors of sports and dancing, it's all very exciting to see everyone come together."
The parade begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 4, starting at the intersection of Tennessee and El Dorado streets and proceeding along Sonoma Boulevard and turning onto Georgia Street. The parade concludes at the intersection of Georgia and Santa Clara streets.
"One of my other favorite parts of the parade is that it ends near the waterfront on Georgia Street," William said. "We then have an annual picnic with a bunch of our students and their parents."
This year, parade organizers announced three brand-new cash prizes in hopes of inviting participants to bring even more creativity, humor, and hometown pride to this cherished community tradition.
This year, parade entrants will have the opportunity to compete for $250 cash prizes in each of the following categories:
-Most Patriotic -Celebrating the spirit of Independence Day with bold red, white, and blue displays that honor the nation's history and values.
-Most Vallejo Spirit -Showcasing the unique culture, diversity, and pride that make Vallejo shine.
-Funniest -Bringing laughter to the parade route with clever, playful, and entertaining designs.
"These new categories are designed to encourage participation from across the community - from families and local businesses to artists and organizations," said Loughmiller in a news release. "We want to see parade entries that reflect not only national pride, but also the creativity and character that make Vallejo such a special place."
Parade registration is now open, and early sign-up is encouraged. Participants of all experience levels are welcome.
To submit your registration, visit cityofvallejo.formstack.com/forms/4th_of_july_parade_application_2026.
For more information on how to enter a float or participate in the parade, contact specialevents@cityofvallejo.net or call (707) 648-8616.
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