CLEARLAKE, Calif. – It was stars and stripes and a bit of "Travelin' Through Time" Saturday when the Lakeshore Lions Club hosted its 57th annual Redbud Parade and Festival in Clearlake.
Thousands came out for the daylong event that began with a procession of more than festive 50 entries including water-toting firemen who provided the crowd with a bit of relief from the heat.
Escorted by a convoy of flashing lights and roaring sirens and Ronnie “Uncle Sam” Bogner, Bob and Marian Kiel were honored as the parade's grand marshals.
The Kiels were recognized for their many contributions to the community throughout 38 years of service and leadership to a variety of community service clubs and organizations.
Their latest efforts focus on the Highlands Senior Service Center's Meals On Wheels program, for which they have successfully raised funds the last three years.
Bob Kiel has been an active member of the Lakeshore Lions Club since 1977 and can boast a record of perfect attendance. He spent two terms as the club's president and currently serves as chaplain. He is a recipient of the Lions International District Governor's Appreciation Award, which recognizes his service to the community and organization.
Redbud Parade Queen Zobee Miller was joined in her royal court by princesses Michelle Page and Stephanie Lesher. The Lower Lake High School 2014 graduates were recognized for the academic achievements, leadership and contributions.
Another entry receiving recognition early-on in the parade was that of the Pearl Harbor Survivors, occupied by World War II veteran Bill Slater and Alice Darrow, the widow of Dean Darrow, a sailor who served at Pearl Harbor during the attack.
Parade announcer Carl Webb said Slater, who was stationed on the U.S.S. Pennsylvania at the time of the infamous bombing, is the last remaining Pearl Harbor Survivor in Lake County.
Webb said Darrow's husband was injured in the bombing of the U.S.S. West Virginia. "Alice was his nurse," he said.
Kimberly Bauer took the award for best overall entry with her 1999 black Mazda Miata, which she said was a gift from her husband as reward when she quit smoking.
First runner up was the Sons of the American Legion, which paraded a "Back to the Future" float with music and oscillating rock 'n' roll billboard. Second runner up was Lower Lake High School Cheerleaders and third runner up was Ron Layne with the Lake County Model A's.
Additional parade results are as follows:
- Fraternal/service club floats: Sons of the American Legion, first place; Lakeshore Lioness, second place; Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 2337, third place.
- Commercial floats: Enterprise Towing, first place; Always Towing, second place.
- Noncommercial floats: Pearl Harbor Survivors, first place; Lake County Youth Services, second place; Glory Days Flag Football, third place.
- Antique cars (pre-1940s): Lake County Model A's, first place.
- Classic cars: Bill Merriman, first place; Leo Parodi, second place; Bonnie Epps, third place.
- Unusual car, electric and steam: Ron Layne, first place; RJ Tucker, 40&8, second place; Walmart, third place.
- Drill teams: Lower Lake High School Cheerleaders, first place; Lower Lake Youth Football and Cheerleaders, second place.
- Marching group: U.S. Coast Guard, first place; Lake County Youth Service's Junior Giants, second place; Boy Scouts of America Troop No. 44, third place.
- Fire departments: Lake County Fire Protection District, first place.
- Comic fire departments: Lake County Fire Protection District Volunteer Firefighters Association fire folly team, first place.
- Other public service departments: Clearlake Police Department, first place.
- Funny things, etc.: Kimberly Bauer, first place; Nyah Chavez, second place; Jimmy Richard, third place.
- The pooper scooper award went to Ray Bridges, parade chairman, who entered on the fly, grabbing a dust pan and broom when the situation called for it in front of the judges' stand.
The parade was followed by a daylong festival in Austin Park that culminated with fireworks at dusk.
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