Orland's Russell leads fair parade

It was a typical small-town parade filled with vintage cars, horses, fire engines and beauty queens as Orland’s Glenn County Fair Parade hit the road Saturday morning.

Grand marshal Gene Russell and his wife, Shirley, led the event down Fourth Street in a horse-drawn carriage complete with a handsome pair of black or dark bay draft horses.

As parade watchers lined both sides of the street, the 54 entries made their way to the fairgrounds shortly after 10 a.m.

There were antique cars, classic cars and marching school bands to delight onlookers with some good music.

Politicians running for local and state offices also entered the parade – riding in classic cars with signs blazoned across their doors.

Orland resident Barbara Hernandez and her family watched from the shade of the Bank of America building at the corner of Fourth and Walker streets.

Hernandez sat in a lawn chair while her relatives sat on the curb of the sidewalk anticipating what was coming.

“I like all of it (the parade),’’ she said. “My daughter’s in the OHS marching band, and the band director is really good.’’

She added she had seen the band members practicing earlier in the week on the streets of Orland in the heat. “It was too hot for me,’’ Hernandez said, while indicating the students were really dedicated.

An older couple sat in lawn chairs further down the block and told friends they’d been to all of the fair parades, and the lady said she admired the floats because the people who made them did a lot of work and it is good to appreciate such efforts.

Later, a man who knew the couple told his friends that was another great parade this year once it had passed by them.

In the meantime, Alta Marie’s Bakery and some neighboring Hispanic stores offered cold drinks, sweets or chicken to hungry parade goers.

Those running for office and area businesses participating in the parade threw candy to children in the crowd prompting a mad scramble to get the best pieces while parents with little ones helped  them retrieve their treats.

Glenn County Fair Queen Rachelle Hudson and her court were chauffered in the parade inside 1960’s era convertibles, and the Willows Lamb Derby Royals also came in separate vehicles.

The Chico Shrine Club zipped around in mini cars blowing their horns and zig-zagging around the street while the tassels on their funny hats dangled in the breeze.

There also were members of the Glenn County Sheriff’s Posse carrying flags and decking their mounts in fancy saddles and bridles. They were joined by other posses or horse groups in the event.

There were even some mules that made an appearance with riders in western attire in patriotic colors. And a supervisorial candidate used pack mules to advertise his cause.

Of course, fire engines, tanker trucks and related equipment were on hand to close the parade from the Orland, Capay and Willows fire departments and the U.S. Forest Service. With sirens blaring and lights flashing, they got the crowd’s attention.

Clowns were a natural for a fair parade and there were several in vintage vehicles or on foot waving to the crowd in colorful suits and hats.

There also was a wooden-wheeled cart pulled by oxen to celebrate the Portuguese Heritage Association.

Parade winners were announced later in the afternoon at the fairgrounds inside the Les Schwab and R&R Sales Band Shell.

Glenn County Supervisor Tracey Quarne  handed out the trophies, but only one winner came to the ceremony. That was a representative of the First Baptist Church of Orland  whose float won the floats category.

In the meantime, Orland Area Chamber of Commerce President Jan Walker observed and then provided a list of winners.

Judges for this event included Tina Banfill, Lillian Thomas and Tim Mangum.

She said th e 2008 parade was a good one, and she enjoyed seeing the fire engines at the end with their blaring horns and flashing lights. “It reminds me of fireworks,’’ Walker said.