100 years remembered
Thousands crowd Main Street to witness 100th annual Veteran’s Day parade
The sound of chopper blades bouncing of the facades of Main Street buildings signaled the start of the 100th annual Veterans Day parade Monday in downtown Porterville.
Three helicopters hovered above the massive crowds lining the street, and soon sirens could be heard from blocks away. Children drifted from the safety of the street side curb in anticipation, trying to get a better look at the parade’s first entries.
Soon, two motorcycle officers from the Porterville Police Department (PPD) made their way down Main Street, rolling slowly and focusing on the path ahead of them. Following closely behind them were two patrol units, one presenting Police Chief Eric Kroutil, who waved and smiled from the passenger side. California Highway Patrol (CHP) happily trailed PPD in a unit of their own, along with a patrol truck bringing up the rear.
The Granite High School band could be heard over the roar of conversation from spectators, and as they approached a silver baton flew into the air. The baton’s owner flipped and landed on his feet before catching the baton in one smooth motion. Applause followed and the baton performer — local baton twirling phenomenon Brandon Ennis — proudly smiled and enthusiastically continued his routine as he marched down the street.
Following the Granite band and color guard was the Veteran’s Homecoming Queen float. Sitting atop the highest seat in a stunning white dress with matching white gloves was this year’s queen, Darcy Sarr. Sarr waved and smiled down at spectators, while little girls beamed up at her, waving emphatically.
Porterville Mayor Milt Stowe rolled by in a shiny red Chevrolet Camaro, with
each City Council member riding behind him in their own individual vehicles.
Toys 4 Tots was led by a Marine and two Navy men in full uniform, while a Marine Corps truck piled with waving people kept pace behind them. Closely following the truck were a group a soldiers, fully uniformed and carrying their weapons. Two tanks brought up the back of the Toys 4 Tots group.
The clop of horse hooves echoed off buildings as eight horses came trotting down the street, supporting riders of the Jackass Mail Run.
A smiling Mr. Miller, an U.S. Army veteran who served from 1950-59, waved out of the passenger side window as the Lindsay Pathfinders trailed behind him. Miller smiled down at small children who sat on the curbs in awe.
The Royalistics Car Club put on quite a show as their cars bounced and sat at sharp angles while slowly making their way down Main Street. Military emblems were displayed on the sides of some of the intricately painted cars, which reflected sunlight in bright beams. Funky old school music bumped heavy bass from the speakers as nine different cars rolled by.
SETCO’S float had heads turning as they rode by with their breathtaking display. From a large helicopter cutout to the smoke billowing from the replicated Twin Tower plane crash, SETCO’S remembrance of the past 100 years was obvious. Historic pictures and timeless war propaganda completed the impressive float display.
Porterville Military Academy marched down the street in formation. Between some of the cadet groups rolled a float with a large American flag. “United We Stand” read the float’s side, and a fully uniformed soldier stood at the back.
This year’s Sweepstakes trophy-winning float went to Porterville College (PC). PC’S float carried many veterans who waved and pointed at members of the crowd they knew.
The Porterville Mariachi Academy for the Performing Arts Foundation entertained the audience with live music. The full mariachi band played festive music while one of the female students sang in the back. The speakers carried her voice for blocks and the crowd whooped and applauded her vocal performance.
The Rollin’ Relics club had an impressive showing with a line of 18 different classic cars. A few entries behind them rolled another car club, the Happy Honker A’s. Ten Ford Model A cars honked their Ooga horns for clapping kids, entertaining the crowd and spreading smiles across many faces.
Towards the end of the parade, a young girl grinned from the Tule River Natural History entry car, spreading her arms to display large wings of feathers. She held the attention of the crowd while she balanced herself on the hood as the car gracefully rolled towards the finish line.
Bringing up the end of the parade entries was Dinosaur Kingdom. A safarilike Jeep swerved to each side of the road while a truck behind it carried an robotic tyrannosaurus rex, complete with a collar connected to a heavy chain. The T-rex swivelled its head back and forth, delighting spectators and causing small children to gasp and applaud.
Over 115 entries completed the 100th annual Veteran’s Day parade celebration. As the final float rolled by, crowd members folded their blankets and packed up their chairs. Children handed their parents parade souvenirs in exchange for their hands to cross busy streets on journeys to cars.
As Main Street cleared, it left in its wake anticipation for what is to come with next year’s annual Veteran’s Day parade.