Apple Blossom Parade
The Apple Blossom Festival is a major fundraiser for the Sebastopol Chamber and Visitor Center. It helps to support the programs and services that we provide to the community, most at no charge to the public. The Festival also helps support several non-profit groups that volunteer their support for the weekend gates, garbage detail and volunteer servers.
Organizers said the 67th Annual Apple Blossom Parade will be a delight for the entire family. Everything from school marching bands to dachshunds in costume will delight the youngest to the oldest. Sebastopol comes alive as the flower-adorned floats, high-stepping horses, and five-year-old dancers march proudly down Main Street. The parade starts at 10 a.m. Saturday morning, April 20. The parade route begins at Analy High School and continues South on Main Street and ends at Calder Ave. Starts at 10 am and ends at Noon.
For nearly 100 years, Sebastopol has celebrated their apple crops with some sort of festival. With the Apple Blossom Festival celebrating the beginning of the growing season. Make sure to save the weekend of April 21 & 22, 2012 to visit Sebastopol and experience first hand the historical traditions and agricultural bounty of this beautiful little town.
Visit www.sebastopol.org for more parade information or call the Chamber at 823-3032.
Windsor Days Parade
Windsor’s hometown parade will be held on Saturday, May 11, from 10 a.m. to noon in Downtown Windsor. The event began in 1980 when a group of local residents decided it would promote town unity. Several organizations have been responsible for the parade over the years but the Kiwanis Club has been the most consistent organizer hosting the parade on their own for much of its history. With help from the community, the parade has been held every year without fail and continues to draw thousands of people to Downtown.
The parade serves as Windsor’s chance to recognize prominent community volunteers through the announcement of the Royal Court. Two students from each school plus two adult volunteers are nominated to the court and the entire group travels at the front of parade before taking their place of honor next to the judges.
Organizers are currently soliciting nominations for court along with parade entries and sponsorships. Sponsors will receive recognition in all parade advertisements including the Windsor Kiwanis website and by announcers on parade day. Several sponsorship levels are available and payment is due by March 30 to guarantee inclusion in advertising materials. More information can be found at www.kiwaniswindsor.org.
Healdsburg Future Farmers Country Fair and Parade
Every year thousands of tourists flock to Healdsburg to experience its “wine country” charm or to eat in one of its world-renowned restaurants but locals know the true Healdsburg delicacy is a steaming tray of garlic fries consumed in the company of pretty much the entire town while the sun sets over Recreation park.
The Future Farmers Country Fair and Parade overtakes Healdsburg on May 23 with half the town participating in the Twilight Parade and the other half lining the streets to watch.
The fair and parade celebrate Healdsburg’s agricultural roots and this year’s theme is “Blue jeans and country dreams.” Parade entrants will showcase their interpretation of the theme at 6 p.m. as the parade winds through town. Later that night, crowds will flock to Recreation Park for a night of community and fun.
Fair activities begin the next day including the chance for local 4-H and FFA students to showcase what may be years of hard work. The fair culminates in the livestock auction which includes announcement of the Sir Rusty Winner.
The popular Sir Rusty fundraiser is named after the fair mascot and takes the form of a community raffle. The holder of the winning ticket receives either beef or lamb of their choice and the knowledge they participated in the fair’s main fundraiser.
