Saratoga News

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If it's true that everyone loves a parade, Saratoga is the place to be

By Shannon Burkey

As the end of the month draws near, the 50th anniversary celebrations are beginning to dwindle. But before Saratogans take off their party hats, there will be one last hurrah.

The Saratoga Community Parade hosted by the Saratoga Rotary Club will take place Sept. 24 at 1:30 p.m. The parade will start at the Saratoga Library on Saratoga Avenue and travel down into the Village, finishing at Fourth Street and Big Basin Way.

Wanting to make the anniversary parade one to remember, organizers began planning it in November 2005, according to Warren Lampshire, chairman of the parade committee.

Close to 3,000 people will participate in this year's parade Lampshire said, with "kids, Kids, KIDS," being a recurring theme.

Marching in the parade will be a wide variety of groups and organizations. Eight high school and middle school bands, Scout troops, dance troops, the Saratoga Nursery School on tricycles and the Mt. Eden vaulters on horseback are just a glimpse of Japanese visitors from Saratoga's sister city, Taiko, will march alongside Saratogans, and many of the city's officials and various city departments are also planning to take part in the parade.

Paul Conrado, the chairman of the 50th anniversary committee, will act as grand marshal for the parade.

Lampshire said a lot of community effort is going into the event, and he urges the entire community to come out and be a part of it.

After the parade, Rotary Club and Kiwanis members will help keep the festivities going at Wildwood Park with music and free cake and ice cream for everyone.

"We will serve about 5,000 pieces of birthday cake," Lampshire said.

With the parade bringing out a large number of people, West Valley College, Saratoga High School and the city offices will all open their parking lots to the public.

Saratoga Avenue along the parade route will be closed from noon to 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 24.