Vacaville Fiesta parade showcases community spirit
Under blue skies without a cloud in sight and a light breeze drifting through downtown, thousands of people lined Merchant Street on Saturday morning for the 69th annual Vacaville Fiesta Days Parade, settling into folding chairs beneath fluttering American flags hours before the 10 a.m. start time for one of the city's longest-running traditions.
By 8 a.m., families were already staking out spots along the parade route with shade umbrellas, wagons packed with coolers and snacks, and blankets spread on the grass in front of City Hall. A cool breeze moved through downtown as children darted through the crowd, burning off energy while waiting for the parade to begin.
Among the early arrivals were Melodee Clark, Bonnie Ryan and Laura Hernandez, who made sure they had front-row seats.
"We come every year," Ryan said.
Clark said one of her favorite parts of the parade is watching children experience the event.
"I think seeing the kids light up is my favorite part," she said. "I like that they bring the kids here so they can learn about our history and respect for the flag. And seeing the adults and their reactions, it's just community."
For Hernandez, the parade carried a sense of nostalgia. A Vacaville native now living in Blythe, she returned this year with her husband for his first Fiesta Days parade.
"I like seeing the Vasquez float," Hernandez said of the well known and beloved fixture in the parade. "It's been 30 years since I've been here to see this and I'm looking forward to that."
Patriotism remained a major theme throughout the morning. Veteran Robert Rose, a Marine Corps veteran and member of the Brotherhood of Vietnam Veterans, said the parade is an event he never misses.
"I used to be in the parade and the color guard and that sort of thing," Rose said.
For him, the strongest part of the annual celebration is the patriotic spirit displayed by the community.
Others attended to cheer on family members participating in the parade. Elneatra Rigmaiden of Suisun City attended her first Fiesta Days parade to watch her granddaughter march with the Will C. Wood High School cheer program.
"I came to see my granddaughter - she's in the parade," she said.
Her daughter, Tiara Rigmaiden, who recently moved to Vacaville, said she appreciated seeing the community gather around local youth.
"I think it's just nice to see the community come together for the children," she said.
Mary Guzman of Fairfield described the parade as a yearly homecoming.
"Oh, we come home every year," Guzman said while sitting along Merchant Street with her Chihuahuas. "We wouldn't miss it."
Nearby, members of the Murphy and McDaniel families echoed the sentiment, calling the parade a family tradition.
"We come every year," Michelle McDaniel said. "We love the go-karts and the dancing and the Vasquez float and the bands. It's all about tradition."
Hayden Murphy, 8, already had a favorite attraction picked out.
"I like the dancing horses," she said.
Visitors from neighboring communities also packed the route. Bonnie Grozier of Fairfield attended alongside friends from Liberty Christian Church.
"It's fun," Grozier said.
Her fellow parade enthusiast, Florence Wells, said the variety of performances keeps the event fresh each year.
"I love seeing the prancing horses and the bands, the gymnasts - it's great every year," Wells said.
Overseeing the festivities once again was longtime parade announcer Joe Scholtes, who said he has handled announcing duties for more than 15 years.
"It's a lot of fun and it's all about community," Scholtes said.
Among his favorite parade entries are the Recology garbage can routine and the Shriners performances, but he said the heart of the event is seeing local children and community groups take part.
"The bands are great and it's nice to see young kids and athletic groups out here," he said. "It's all community. It's the fabric of Vacaville. That's what makes it Vacaville. That's what makes Vacaville really special."
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