LOWER LAKE, Calif. – Lower Lake Daze Parade and Barbecue brought the holiday fun and celebration to Main Street in Lower Lake on Sunday.
The event featured a parade filled with floats, people and pets in costume, classic cars, horsemen, politicians and an entourage of medieval maidens and gents, who gathered for the sixth annual Lake Renaissance Festival at Tuscan Village.
Mike and June Salter were honored as grand marshals of this year's procession.
Mike Salter founded Lake County Television Club, leading the organization for 40 years with June by his side.
He also founded the Catfish Unlimited program, which was responsible for stocking Clear Lake with bass from 1969 to 1989.
Together the Salters were hailed as leaders who serve their community well.
The Lake County Military Funeral Honors team was the overall sweepstakes winner in the parade. The overall winner in the pet parade was Larry Batistoni and Jim Tollis and his 1951 Ford took top honors in the classic car division.
In the equine division, Team Mayo took the Pauline Willis award as well as top honors in the junior horse category. Senior horse award went to Chapel of the Lakes.
Additional awards were reported as follows:
- Color Guard: Boy Scout Troop No. 44, first place.
- Costumed: Lake Renaissance Festival, first place.
- Military: Lake County Military Funeral Honors Team, first place; 40 & 8, second place; Clearlake Masonic Lodge, third place.
- Fire: Lake County Fire Protection District and Cal Fire, tied for first place, Northshore Fire's Clearlake Oaks Station, second place.
- Commercial: Eel River Fuels, first place; Walmart ambassador, second place.
- Youth: Lower Lake High School Football team and cheerleaders, first place; Konocti Klogging Kids, second place; Clearlake Youth Center, third place.
- Float (commercial): California United Home Care Workers, first place; Lower Lake United Methodist Church, second place; Clearlake Internet, third place.
- Float (noncommercial): 40 & 8, first place.
- Pet (costume): Grace Skidmore, first place; Keleb and Marika Gamble, second place; Brittany Hazelton, third place.
- Pet (cutest): Larry Batistoni, first place; Super Kids, second place; Marie Johnston, third place.
- Pet (performing): Larry Batistoni, first place.
- Best Vintage Vehicle (stock): Dev Van Pelt, 1930 Desoto.
- Best Vintage Vehicle (modified): Joe and Norma Colabella, 1955 Chevy.
- Best Truck (stock): Al and Peggy Choate, 1931 Ford.
- Best Truck (modified): Ray Blayton, 1932 Ford.
- Best Motorcycle: Bonnie Epos, three-wheeler.
- Best Model A: Deanne Clayton, 1932 Ford sedan.
- Best Sports Car: Lee Company, 1966 Cobra.
- Equine Novelty Authentic Costume: Lonne Sloan.
- Pooper Scooper: River Thom and Blake VonRekoski.
The procession was followed by a barbecue, live music, a vendor faire and awards at Russell Rustici Park.
The event was hosted by Lower Lake Community Action Group, which thanked cosponsor Lakeshore Lions, for volunteering time and proceeds from its beverage booth.
Lower Lake Community Action Group, along with the Clearlake Car Club, will next host the “Show and Shine" car show on Aug. 16 on Main Street in Lower Lake.
Email Denise Rockenstein at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .