By Robert Haugh
The Santa Clara Parade of Champions, a 52-year-old tradition, returns on Saturday, Oct. 9.
The Parade was once the second-largest parade in the state of California. Many heroes will be honored in this year’s parade including community volunteers, veterans, teachers, EMTs, police, and firefighters.
The Grand Marshal will be Krazy George, once a local Buchser High School teacher, now an Earthquakes Professional Cheerleader and the creator of the popular “wave.”
The Parade will feature several 20-foot balloons, multiple floats, at least 7 marching bands, drill teams, school sports and clubs, classic cars and a host of diverse youth, multicultural and community service groups.
The Parade begins at 11 a.m., with festivities starting at 8 a.m., running until 5 p.m.
Among the activities downtown at Franklin Square will be the Farmer’s Market, multicultural “Community Village” booths, live entertainment, the Bookmobile, an Earthquakes Kid’s Zone and Salsa on the Square sponsored by Volare Studios.
Prior to returning in 2019, the beloved event last took place in 1995. The Parade founders originally were Larry Marsalli and Ed Cunha.
There’s plenty of champions to celebrate in Santa Clara. We look forward to another 50-plus years of parades.
For more information, visit http://www.scparadeofchampions.org.
Editor’s Note: I’ll be in the parade along with wrestlers and staff from my professional wrestling organization, Wrestling For Charity. We’re hosting an event at 5:30 after parade festivities at American Legion Post 419 on Homestead Road. Please drop by.
