Hazel Dell Parade of Bands celebrates 51 years

With the recently retired Clark County Sheriff as grand marshal, it seems only fitting that the theme of this year’s Hazel Dell Parade of Bands is “Wild, Wild West.’’

“It just seemed fitting this year,’’ said Shelly Palmer, co-chair of the Parade of Bands, of the selection for this year’s theme. “We’ve had ‘Stars and Stripes’ and last year was the 50th anniversary (‘The Golden Jubilee’), it just seemed like a fun theme to go with this year. And, retired former Sheriff (Garry) Lucas is our grand marshal, so it just all seems to go together.’’

This year’s Parade of Bands will be held Sat., May 16, at 10:30 a.m. along it’s traditional route on Highway 99 in Hazel Dell. This year, the parade will celebrate its 51st anniversary.

Lucas’ last day on the job was Dec. 31, 2014, officially ending a 47-year career with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, 24 of which was spent as sheriff. As the county’s top elected law enforcement official, Lucas was a regular fixture at past Parade of Bands.

“He’s always been in the parade as an elected officials,’’ Palmer said. “We wanted to honor him for all of his years of service and just to say ‘thank you.’ It seemed he would be the appropriate choice this year.’’

The Lion’s Club will also host its annual Pancake Breakfast the morning of the Parade from 7-10 a.m. at Fire District 6, Station 1, located at 8800 NE Hazel Dell Ave., in Hazel Dell. Tickets are available at the event; $6.50 adults, $5.50 for seniors and children, and children under 5 are free.

The Parade of Bands attracts tens of thousands of spectators annually. For those who would like to sponsor the community event, contact Tony Ruestig, TwinStar Credit Union, at aruestig@twinstarcu.com with your pledge.

Palmer said that entries have been plentiful for this year’s event, which features seven different divisions including horses, non-commercial/nonprofit floats, commercial floats, classic cars, specialty vehicles, bands/novelty and political campaigns.

“We have a band coming down from Moses Lake,’’ Palmer said. “Those kids will have to get up bright and early. We have 29 bands this year and it looks like we will have a few different entries than we’ve had in the past.’’

Steakburger, a past fixture on Highway 99 during the history of the event, is no longer in its traditional location. The restaurant closed this past year and has been replaced by a few new businesses, including Panera Bread and Taco Bell, which moved to a new location on the former Steakburger property.

Food carts have occupied the former auto dealership lot on NE 78th St., just a block east of Highway 99.

The following awards will be presented to entries being judged in the parade:

• Grand Marshal’s Award – Presented to the entry (out of all divisions) which best represents the theme of the parade.

 • Director’s Award – Presented to the best entry in the Equestrian Division.

• Association Award – Presented to the best entry in the Non-Commercial Division.

• President’s Award – Presented to the best entry in the Commercial Division.

• Founder’s Award – Presented to the best entry in the Classic Cars Division.

• Chairman’s Award – Presented to the best entry in the Specialty Vehicles Division.

First-, second- and third-place awards as well as Spirit awards will be presented in five divisions at the discretion of the judging chair. Special Spirit awards may also be presented to groups and individuals whoe entries are not being judged.

The Hazel Dell Parade of Bands is presented by the Hazel Dell Salmon Creek Business Association. For more information, go to www.hdscba.org.