CLEARLAKE — It seems People Services, Inc. can”t be beat when it comes to taking top honors in the Lakeshore Lion”s Club Redbud Parade and Festival. The organization earned Best Overall Entry recognition Saturday for the fourth consecutive year.
The theme of the 53rd annual event was “60s Summer of Love.” People Services” award-winning float featured an ensemble of dancing “flower children” and a nostalgic duet by “Sonny & Cher.”
Coyote Valley second-grader Makenna Rose Enger, 7, led the event with a wonderful delivery of the National Anthem.
Thousands flocked to Austin Park for the day-long festival that culminated with the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce”s Independence Day fireworks display, which was sponsored in large part by Foods, Etc. Festival-goers enjoyed live music by “Southern Comfort” as they perused a field of immaculate classic cars vying for title in the 10th annual “Show and Shine Car Show.”
Worm Master Joey Luiz added to the fun, enticing passersby to throw their worm in the ring for competition in the chamber”s 43rd annual International Worm Races.
Congressman Mike Thompson, who was the first Vietnam veteran elected to the California State Senate, made a special appearance in Clearlake joining the celebration as Grand Marshall of this year”s parade.
Lower Lake High School Class of 2010 valedictorian Andrea White was crowned Redbud Parade Queen.
She was joined in her court by Princess Tashee Denson.
Big hits of the parade were 60s cartoon favorites “Tom and Jerry,” who had fans young and old standing in line for hugs from the beloved characters.
A total of 35 awards were presented to parade participants. Results were as follows:
? Best Overall Entry: People Services, Inc.
? First Runner Up: Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 2337
? Second Runner Up: Tess Long”s Marching Group
? Third Runner Up: Mendo Lake Credit Union
? Most Patriotic Entry: Pearl Harbor Survivors
? Fraternal/Service Club Floats: VFW Post No. 2337, first place; Sons of American Legion, second place; Lake County Shrine Club, third place.
? Commercial Floats: People Services, Inc., first place; Mendo Lake Credit Union, second place; Enterprise Towing and Automotive, third place.
? Non-Commercial Floats: Pearl Harbor Survivors, first place; Girl Scouts Troop No. 10433, second place; The Bernal Boys, third place.
? Church Groups: Evangel Christian Center, first place.
? Antique Cars (pre-40s): Richard DeWolfe, first place; Dick and Hank Kistner, second place; Phil Adamson, third place.
? Classic Cars: Tommy Rand, first place.
? Unusual Cars (electric and steam): Donald Anderson, first place; Summer of Love Perfect Vehicle, second place; Rick and Paula Alves, third place.
? Drill Teams: Boy Scouts Troop No. 44 Color Guard, first place.
? Marching Groups: Tess Long”s Marching Group, first place; Middletown Majorettes, second place; Charlie Agee, third place.
? Fire Departments: Lake County Fire Protection District, first place; CalFire, second place; Clearlake Oaks/Glenhaven Fire (Northshore Fire Protection District), third place.
? Other Public Service Departments: Lake County Sheriff”s Department, first place; Lake County Transit, second place; Clearlake Police Department, third place.
? Funny Things: Inn Cognito, first place; “Tom and Jerry,” second place.
Contact South County reporter Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
