CLEARLAKE — Lakeshore Lions Club hosted its 54th annual Redbud Parade and Festival Saturday in Clearlake. The daylong event, which featured an abundance of family-oriented entertainment such as the 12th annual Shine and Show Car Show and the 45th annual International Worm Races, drew thousands to Austin Park where the festival culminated with a patriotic fireworks display at dusk.
Leading this year”s parade as Grand Marshal was long-time Lions club member Fred Moeller. Decked-out in his cowboy duds, Moeller set the tone for the parade in line with this year”s theme: “150 Years of Western History.” Riding in this year”s royal court was Redbud Parade Queen Veronica Wilder, who was joined by her princesses Maria Copaz and Lisannette Diaz.
Taking the prize for Best Overall Entry was the Foods, Etc. float, which illustrated what the country store might have looked like way back when. First runner-up was the Sons of the American Legion, whose float replicated the Lower Lake Stone Jail. The musical ensembles of the Old Time Bluegrass Festival and the Clear Lake United Methodist Church respectively claimed second and third runners up. Most Patriotic Entry honors went to the Pearl Harbor Survivors of Lake County.
Additional parade results were reported as follows:
– Fraternal/service club floats: Pearl Harbor Survivors of Lake County, first place; Sons of American Legion post No. 437, second place; Vietnam Veterans of America, third place.
– Commercial floats: Foods, Etc., first place; Mendo-Lake Credit Union, second place; Valenzuela Tire & Wheel, third place.
– Non-commercial floats: Old Time Bluegrass Festival, first place.
– Church groups: Clear Lake United Methodist Church, first place; City Gate Church, second place.
– Antique cars (pre-1940s): Lake County Model A Club, first place.
– Classic cars: Richard Bailey, 1958 Cadillac, first place; Leo Parodi, 1971 Chevy pickup, second place; Casey Miller, 1969 Volkswagen pickup, third place.
– Unusual cars: R.J. Tucker, train, first place; Don Anderson cars, second place; Tom Wheeler Gutbucket Fishing, third place.
– Street rod: Josh Wade, 1936 Ford coupe, first place.
– Marching groups: Boy Scouts Troop No. 44, first place; Girl Scouts Troop No. 10433, second place.
– Fire departments: Lake County Fire Protection District, first place.
– Comic fire departments: Lake County Fire Protection District Volunteer Firefighter”s Association, first place.
– Funny things: Inn Cognito Waage Family, first place; Punisher Wrestling, second place; Hart”s Baby Baby, third place.
California State Horsemen”s Association equestrian parade senior sweepstakes winner was Mary Ann Reece, who also took first place in the Arabian costume division. Junior sweepstakes winner was Karley Petta, who was the first place winner in the future horseman division.
Other results included first place winners Lonne Sloan, novelty costume; Kirsten Spraktes, senior plain western; Nancy Leece, senior novelty; and Tinise Lowery and Ashley Lozinto, local group/matched pair.
