LOWER LAKE >> Some parades are known for their roses but the Lower Lake Daze Parade is better known for its hoses.
The parade dazzled the crowd of about 3,000 onlookers Sunday, not because of spectacular flower-covered floats but because of its local flair for the odd and unusual.
Foremost on the odd list are the Lower Lake volunteer firefighters and comedy troupe who provided the hoses, spraying the crowd with water and delighting them with Keystone Kops-like comedy skits.
The Lower Lake volunteers rode and walked alongside their fire engine — a 1929 Model A water truck nicknamed the “Funny Wagon” — wearing red long johns and with no shortage of water.
Near the parade’s end, the “Funny Wagon” crew were hit with a coordinated barrage of water balloons, courtesy of LLHS students and alumni.
Angela Derum of Clearlake attended the parade with her son, Sean Derum, 20, also of Clearlake.
“I love the firemen, They bring a lot of excitement to the crowd and they scare me, which I love, with all their loud bangs,” she said. “It was fun.”
Sean Derum said he wanted to spend Sunday with his mother so he brought her to the parade. He added that his favorite part was the dressed-up dogs.
One of the Lower Lake volunteer firefighters delighting the crowd was David Este of Lower Lake who has been in five parades.
“This is a hoot every year,” Este said. “It’s a lot of work but we love doing it.”
Parade participants dressed-up in all manner of costumes and walked alone, in groups or with their pets, many also in costume. One man pulled a wagon with a black rabbit in a cage while another participant had a caged guinea pig. Most of the pets were of the canine variety.
“We’ve been here before and always enjoy it because it’s so friendly,” said spectator Kitty Enobles of Clearlake. “We like the old cars and the fact that there’s not a lot of hoopla.”
The biggest contingent in the parade were students from Lower Lake High School (LLHS), including athletes, cheerleaders and a marching band.
The best-costumed parade contingent were participants in the Lake Renaissance Festival in Lower Lake, dressed in 16th century attire, including a pirate, ogre and knight.
Richard Jones of Clearlake watched the parade with his sons, Damian, 10, and Blake, 5.
“The kids went to the Lakeport parade yesterday (Saturday) and so they wanted to come here today,” he said. “We didn’t come last year but we used to come every year. I like to see the old cars.”
Grand Marshals of the parade were Glenn “Corky” and Sharon Schmidt who rode in a Kelly green antique convertible.
The parade was followed by an antique car display along Main Street and a barbecue at Russell Rustici Lower Lake County Park, all sponsored by the Lower Lake Community Action Group and the Lakeshore Lions Club.
The park event included several dozen booths representing vendors and non-profit groups. Proceeds benefit community programs and college scholarships for Lower Lake High School graduates.
