Lakeshore Lions Club is getting ready to rock and roar with its presentation of the 51st annual Redbud Parade and Festival, Saturday, July 5. In addition to the parade, the event will include a day-long festival of activities and attractions that will culminate with an Independence Day display of fireworks over the City of Clearlake.
The parade will begin at 11 a.m. and travel from Redbud Park to Austin Park where a variety of family-fun activities will be offered throughout the day. Attractions will include the 8th annual Show and Shine Car Show, the International Worm Races, kinetic sculpture races and a street fair of merchants peddling their wares. A carnival midway will also coincide to keep youngsters busy until the day ends with fireworks.
The theme of this year”s parade is “Way Out West in Clearlake.” According to Parade Chairman John Dawes, entries are streaming in with about 40 to 50 participants signed up thus far. He said parade-goers can expect to see a variety of decorated floats, vintage and classic cars, kinetic contraptions, local marching groups, show horses, emergency vehicles and much more.
Clearlake Automotive owner, long-time Lions Club member and resident of the city, Ray Bridges, has been selected by his fellow club members to serve as this year”s grand marshal. Bridges has been a Lion for 23 years and served as the parade chairman for 10 of those years. Under his chairmanship, the parade has changed direction, literally.
Bridges said the parade used to end at Redbud Park; but after the parking lot was paved, there was little room for the youngsters to play. So, they switched it up, he said, added a car show and made more room for vendors. In the past couple of years, a carnival midway has been added as well as kinetic sculpture races.
“Ray has been one of the most active members in our club,” said Dawes, to whom Bridges passed the torch. “We wanted to honor him for all the effort he”s put forth so we named him as this year”s grand marshal.”
Organizers are looking forward to a great car show this year. Car show chairman Kevin Ness said he”s received about 50 entries and anticipates that many last-minute entries will pop up. He encourages early entry and walk-ins the day of the event will cost $5 more, he said.
Among the vintage and classic cars that are expected to show is a 1941 Willeys that will travel all the way from Oregon to participate. “Apparently this thing takes every show it goes to,” Ness said.
T-shirts boasting last year”s winners in the categories of Best Interior and Best of Show will be available for purchase during the event, at a price of $20. All proceeds go toward the many worthy causes supported by the Lions Club.
Another favorite attraction at the festival is the International Worm Races, sponsored annually by the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce, which also sponsors the fireworks display. According to chamber executive Lori Peters, there has been some concern regarding steroid use among the competitors. “These are highly competitive races,” Peters said. “Worm wranglers should know that any competitor found to be using steroids to enhance their wiggle will be disqualified!”
Competition will also take place on the lake with four or five kinetic contraptions expected to join the race over land and sea at Austin Park.
The Redbud Parade and Festival is the Lakeshore Lions Club”s largest fundraiser. Club members will be selling raffle tickets throughout the event for an opportunity to win one of several prizes valued up to $500. Lions will also be selling beer at the park and their lady-counterparts, the Lakeshore Lioness, will be offering “adult beverages.”
Parade entry forms can be picked up at Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce, Bob”s Vacuum, Clearlake Automotive, Kevin Ness Jewelers and Ride-on! Bikes, in Clearlake. Vendor inquiries can be made by calling Bob Kiel at 994-9752. Those interested in showing their vehicle in the car show should call Kevin Ness at 994-2307.
Each year the Lakeshore Lions Club produces a parade newspaper highlighting all the attractions and interests of the event. This year”s publication is dedicated to Mario Lucchesi and Don Miller, former Lions Club members, both of whom recently passed. The newspaper is available at various business locations throughout the City of Clearlake, including those listed above.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com.
