LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Chamber of Commerce has announced the results of this year's Memorial Day Parade.
Chamber Chief Executive Officer Melissa Fulton said the group takes great pride in presenting the annual Memorial Day Parade in Lakeport each year.
Although the rain started as the parade began, it did not last long and did not dampen the spirits of
the spectators, judges or parade participants at all. The enthusiasm of everyone made it a great parade, led by every veteran group in Lake County.
Fulton said a couple from Eureka who stopped by as the chamber was tearing down the judges' stand, spoke of their tears of joy as they observed this, in their words, “wonderful small town parade.” They could not say enough about the thrill they had as the parade went by. Others stopped by, repeating the
words, “best parade ever.”
A parade does not just “happen,” as evidenced by the many entities involved in bringing it to the community, Fulton said.
The major sponsor for 2011 was WestAmerica Bank, with Mendo Mill and Piedmont Rock Yard supplying the judges' stage.
For the 21st year in a row, Ginny Clinton was the lineup chair, joined by husband Barry Clinton and son Dan Comacho. Also volunteering for lineup duties were Dianna Hendrick, Melissa Williams, Mary Amodio and Dan LaBelle. Chamber member Debbie Bielenberg stopped by and assisted with decorating the judges' stage.
The City of Lakeport Public Works Department and Lakeport Police Department took charge of barricades and street closures. Without the use of the Lake County Fairgrounds for line up areas, not sure how this parade could come about. Additional thanks to Shari's Secret Garden for their courtesies.
Announcing again this year, courtesy of Mendo Mill & Lumber, was Paul Reading who makes the parade even more special with his presentation of the script. Reading also added a great deal prior to the start of the parade by sharing the history of Memorial Day.
Judges this year were Lakeport City Manager Margaret Silveira; Ted Mandrones, Mendo Mill & Lumber manager and longtime chamber volunteer; and John Fulton. Sally Mandrones helped tally results for the judges.
Ted and Sally Mandrones were able to assist with dismantling the decorations following the end of the parade. Ted Mandrones also assisted John Fulton with loading up the heavy stairs used for access to the stage, into a trailer.
Special thanks to the chamber office staff Stephanie Codling and Nicole Johnson, Chamber office volunteers: Pat Norcio, Myra Wendt, Barbara Conley and Bill Knoll. Applications for the Lakeport Holiday Lighted Parade will be available just after the first of October. Anyone who hasn't been in
that parade and wants to be on our mailing list can contact the chamber at 707-263-5092 or send us an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The chamber offered a thank you to everyone for their participation in the many community events throughout Lake County. Without the volunteers, none of these community events are possible.
MEMORIAL DAY PARADE RESULTS
GRAND SWEEPSTAKES ~ Clear Lake High School Band
THEME AWARD ~ Clear Lake High School Band
JUDGES CHOICE ~ Clear Lake High School Marching Band
DIVISION I ~ FLOATS
Best of Division: People Services
COMMERCIAL
First place: People Services
FRATERNAL/SERVICE ORGANIZATION
First place: Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 951
YOUTH
First place: Lakeport Royal Rangers
DIVISION II ~ VEHICLES
Best of Division: Bob & Joan Lininger
CLUBS
First place: Corvettes of Lake County
Second place: Patriot Guard Riders
CARS & TRUCKS
First place: Bob & Joan Lininger, Lakeport
Second place: Allen & Donna Thomas, Lakeport
Third place: Cadillac Pat Sperling, Lakeport
MILITARY
First place: Carl Thompson, Kelseyville
Second place: Military Honors Team
OTHER
First place: Chapel of the Lakes, Lakeport
Second place: Kulture Shock Car Show
DIVISION III ~ GROUPS
Best of Division Pearl Harbor Survivors, Chapter 23 North, and Lake County Rodeo Association
ORGANIZATION
First place: Lake County Rodeo Association
Second place: Lake County Tea Party Patriots
Third place: Lakeport Speedway
MILITARY
First place: Pearl Harbor Survivors, Chapter 23 North
Second place: Operation Tango Mike
Third place: Department of Veterans Affairs
COMMERCIAL
First place: Mendo Lake Credit Union, Lakeport
Second place: Doni’s Occasion Station, Lucerne
DIVISION VI ~ MUSIC
Best of Division: Clear Lake High School Band
BANDS
First place: Clear Lake High School Band
DIVISON VIII ~ EQUESTRIAN
Best of Division: Mary Ann Reece, Sebastopol
Senior Arabian costume, first place: Mary Ann Reece, Sebastopol
Senior Western working, first place; Beverly Baxter, Santa Rosa
Senior plain Western, first place: Kirstin Spraktes, Lower Lake
Senior novelty, first place: Lonne Sloan, Lower Lake