LAKEPORT ? Generations of families crowded the sidewalks along Main Street in Lakeport Saturday to catch candy, enjoy the sun and honor those who died serving in the military during the annual Memorial Day Parade.
“It”s an incredible honor to be here,” Gary Amberson of Lakeport said alongside his wife, kids and grandchildren.
Amberson was injured while serving in Vietnam with the 23rd Infantry Division of the Army, Americal Infantry, he said. It”s because of service men and women that the hundreds of people could enjoy the parade, he said.
“That”s how we”re doing this right now, because of them,” Amberson said. “It”s really nice to see all these people waiving the American flag.”
For at least 40 years, Lakeport has had a Memorial Day Parade downtown, announcer Paul Reading said. The Lake County Chamber of Commerce and Westamerica Bank sponsored the parade themed “Celebrate America” along with Piedmont Lumber providing the judges” stand.
The parade opened with Makenna Rose Enger, 7, of Middletown singing the National Anthem. The girl, dressed in a formal red dress with red ribbons in her hair, leaned on crutches as she sang into the microphone. She was born with spina bifida, a birth defect where the spinal column doesn”t close all the way and can cause disabilities. The Make-A-Wish Foundation helped make Makenna”s dream possible to sing at the parade and Lakeport Speedway.
Lauren Parkinson of Kelseyville happened upon the parade with her almost 2-year-old daughter, Taylor, and grandma, Dot Dortch.
“We just came into town last minute to see if anything was going on in the park,” Parkinson said.
Parkinson used to come to the parade as a kid.
“It”s great to be able to bring her here,” Parkinson said of her daughter “It”s fun to see her get so excited.”
Taylor walked into the street to get candy as other kids ran and enjoyed her first cherry lollipop that day. Her favorite was the horses, and the candy.
“She loves the horses,” Parkinson said. “She wants to jump on them.”
Dortch said she thinks the parade is great for the children but that Memorial Day means a lot to her, too.
“I”m very patriotic, being from a military family,” Dortch said, adding that her husband served in World War II.
“He stood up for the Marines and the Navy,” Dortch said. “I really respect the service and all we can do to keep them going.”
Parkinson said she honors Memorial Day for her father, who is a veteran.
“Memorial Day is about just acknowledging the people who stand up for us and fight for us,” Parkinson said.
Jaden Wienke, 5, of Lakeport ran around the Lakeport fire station after the parade as his family enjoyed tri tip sandwiches.
“I liked getting too many candies,” Jaden said as he pointed to the sticker on his chest, a Sheriff of Lake County badge.
“I liked the little tiny kid cars,” he said. It was his second time at the parade. His dad, Glenn Wienke, said he thought it was good he was able to keep all five boys in one area and safe during the parade.
“It”s great for the kids,” Wienke said.
He said he remembers coming to the parade when he was a kid, getting candy and watching the police cars and fire trucks. Wienke said Memorial Day means freedom to him because his dad was a prisoner of war.
“It means a lot to me to come out here and experience it with my kids,” Wienke said. “My mom and dad were out today, too.”
Contact Katy Sweeny at kdsweeny@gmail.com or call her directly at 263-5636, ext. 37.
