So far, “Profiles in Service” has looked at two individuals, one of whom worked primarily through groups (Myron “Drink” Drinkwater) and the other (“Lake Forest” Bob Holtzclaw) who worked mostly on issues. This week we want to spotlight one of our volunteer groups – the Parade Committee.
The 4th of July Parade is a signature event for our City. It was founded as way to celebrate our city hood and to honor the history and freedom of America. The 4th of July Parade Committee, City Staff and residents take pride in the parade and it’s a tradition that now almost spans a generation.
The theme for the 22nd annual parade was “Star, Spangled, and Salute!!!” There were 100+ groups with 2,000+ people who participated in the parade along with over 100 vehicles including DeLoreans and Corvettes.
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Over 10,000 people were along the parade route which goes from the intersection of Toledo and Ridge Route to Lake Forest Drive to Serrano Road, a distance of 1.75 miles. It takes about an hour to walk the route, and the Parade itself lasts about 2 hours.
The pancake breakfast, sponsored by Kiwanis, raised a total of $4423.
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To organize all of this, 50 volunteers worked for months as part of the pre parade planning process and another 100 joined on the day of the parade. This included STARS (Sheriffs Team of Active Retired Seniors), Sheriff Explorers, El Toro High School Bicycle Club and other community volunteers.
Here’s the list of volunteers
- Peter Albini - Parade Announcer
- Noma Bates - Equestrian assembly captain
- Oatha Bruckner – Band assembly captain
- Joann Case - Toledo assembly captain
- Nicholas Case – assists Joann
- Randy Case – car club assembly captain
- Michelle Clark - Toledo assembly captain
- Sam Clark – Toldeo escort
- Martin Deutschman – PA on parade route
- Robbie Deutschman – assists Marty
- Myron Drinkwater - judge
- Marion Duffy - Band assembly captain
- Patti Farina- Toledo assembly captain
- Rich Farina - car club assembly captain
- Jim Gardner – assembly captain
- Kevin Graham - Parade Announcer
- Jeff Halverson - car club assembly captain
- Martha Halverson - car club assembly captain
- Sharon Hanson - Judge
- Jeffrey Herrin – Toledo escort
- Loretta Herrin - Judge
- John Irish – the chief
- Rosalie Irish – the real chief
- David Koppel – WM Liaison
- Rick Lancaster – Parade entrant
- Jeanne Mastropietro – Toledo registration
- Margie Matsil – Toledo escort
- O’Neal McCullough – Back lot
- John Meyers – the enforcer (back lot)
- Trudi Meyers – assembly captain
- Rite Middleton - Band assembly captain
- Dick Mink – VIP escort
- Tibby Montgomery - Band assembly captain
- Doris Neel – assembly captain
- Tami Norris - Toledo assembly captain
- Andy Patterson – he gets the cars for the bigwigs
- Rose Patterson - Judge
- Elaine Pong – pancake breakfast
- Matt Rayl – Toledo escort
- Cheryl Ricciardi - Toledo assembly captain
- Ray Silva - Parade Announcer
- Robert Seaman – Oversees handout of Programs & Flags – then spots passing /out of sequence entrants for TV Crew
- Charlene Seaman _Assists Robert
- Cliff Shimizu - Parade Announcer
- Ann Shimizu - Parade Announcer
- Nancy Smeaton - Toledo Assembly Captain (1st time)
- Elizabeth Smith – Pancake Breakfast (Kiwanis)
- Sheila Smith 5K Race, then Toledo Escort/Utility
- Rich Stein - Toledo Registration, then Route Marshall
- Carol Tardif – 1st time Toledo Assembly Captain
- Hanriette Taterossion – Judge
- Lisa Tooley - July 3rd All-Day Setups – July 4th Logistics,
Kevin Valantine – Paid Entrants coordinator - Megan Valantine - Assists Kevin
- Elizabeth Valentine - Kathy McCullough’s mother
- Michael Varma - Parade Announcer
Here’s a list of the award winners. You can check out some of their pictures above.
- Appreciation Award - Frostings Cupcake
- Appreciation Award - Waste Management
- Best Theme Award - Lake Forest Parade Committee
- Best Commercial Unit -Freedom Village
- Best of Lake Forest Award -The City of Lake Forest has “Recreation for all ages!”
- Best Civic Unit - Mission Viejo Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge #2444
- Best Community Outreach Award -Calif. State Fire Fighters Association
- Mayor's Award - Arbor Christian Fellowship
- Most Original Award – Little Pioneers Camp
- Most Creative Award - Amigos De Las Colinas
- Best Band on Truck Award - Terranova Band
- Best Musical Unit - El Toro Marching Royal Blue Regiment
- Best Spirit Award -Lake Forest Little League All Stars
- Best Vehicle Award - Neil Sonntag
- Most Patriotic Award -One Man Rifle Drill Team
- Best Animal Award -Mini Madness
- Best Dance Unit - Zumba with Tania & Friends
- Sandy Mink Award- Souza Family & Floyd Family
- Legacy Award - Uncle Sam & Snoopy’s Bi-Plane
To learn more about the Lake Forest Parade Committee, click here
http://www.lakeforestca.gov/4thjuly/
If you have the time, consider joining the Parade Committee and helping make next year’s parade the best one yet.
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If you’d like to nominate someone in your community who helps make life better for the rest of us in Lake Forest, please send an e-mail to DrJGardner@gmail.com. Generally speaking we are looking for people who have had an impact in several areas and whose contribution has been over many years.
