By Robert Haugh
The Santa Clara Parade of Champions, a 50-plus-year-old tradition, returns tomorrow, Saturday, October 1.
The Parade was once the second-largest parade in California.
This year, the Grand Marshals will be Krazy George, once a Buchser High School teacher, now an Earthquakes Professional Cheerleader and the creator of the popular “wave,” and retired Wilcox High School administrator Kathleen MacDonald.
The Parade will feature several balloons, floats, marching bands, drill teams, school sports and clubs, classic cars and a host of diverse youth, multicultural and community service groups.
Festivities start at 8 a.m., running until 5 p.m.
Opening ceremonies are at 10 a.m., with the National Anthem with Ishmeet Kaur.
The parade starts at 11 a.m. with a grand finale by the Sacramento State University Marching Band, sponsored by DEVCON.
Among the activities downtown at Franklin Square will be the Farmer’s Market, multicultural “Community Village” booths and Salsa on the Square sponsored by Volare Studios at 1:30 p.m.
Kona Ice Truck and Kalbi Korean BBQ will be in the community village.
The Parade of Champions started in 1945 when it welcomed back home its WWII Heroes — by founders Larry Marsalli and Ed Cunha and their fiscal partner YMI (Young Men’s Institute) for 50 years. The YMI Parade of Champions lasted until 1995 when its founders retired.
After a 24-year hiatus, a group of grass roots Santa Clarans came together to bring it back. The founders included Ana Vargas-Smith, Rod Dunham, Patti Allmon, Karen Ardizzone, Mary Grizzle, and Advisory Board Members Andy Ratermann, Jodi Muirhead and Mike Lombardi.
The Parade has a history of celebrating Veterans, front line community heroes, Police and Fire, Chamber and community leaders, School clubs, sports, and youth groups. Over the years, the Parade has featured Hollywood entertainment, clowns, equestrians, World Champions and Olympic Gold Medalists.
Editor’s Note: Unfortunately, I cannot attend this year’s Parade. I will be out of the area managing the Wrestling For Charity entertainment at the Sweet Potato Festival in Livingston. We know the Parade will be buzzing and a highlight of the year.
There’s plenty of champions to celebrate in Santa Clara. Cheers to Santa Clara’s champions.
For more information, visit http://www.scparadeofchampions.org.
I am so happy that it has come back. It is one of the highlight events of Santa Clara along with the Art and Wine Festival. Especially because it showcases whats left of our downtown and reminds us of how much we need a real downtown again.
Thank you for sharing. It’s always a great turnout and fun time