Pioneer Days parade celebrates heritage

CNJ staff photo: Liliana Castillo Queen of the Red Hat Floozies Betty Shober, left, and member Peggy Johnson dressed to the theme of celebrating 100 years of heritage during Saturday’s Pioneer Days Parade. Shober represented the railroad and Johnson dressed as pin-up girl Betty Grab

A hot and blustery day greeted parade onlookers Saturday for the 39th Annual Pioneer Days Parade in Clovis.

But weather didn’t stop people lining Main Street to see floats, horses, go carts, cars and trucks.

And it was one sweet day for children, who scooped up candy tossed from passing floats.

Robin Myers, of Clovis said she liked the Shriners and their cars.

“Well, I haven't been here in a while, but I grew up here,” Myers said. “The Shriners seem to have more fun than anybody. every parade, we see them, they look like they're having a ball, and the children love it.”

Myers was watching the parade with her two grandchildren. She also owns a business near Main Street, so they parked and walked over to see the parade

“Its fun, in combination with the rodeo,” Myers said. “So all the horses and cowboys come out. This is the first year for the rodeo to be indoors.”

This years Pioneer Days Rodeo is being held in the new Curry County Special Events Center.

Watching the parade was also a first-time experience for Samuel Perez.

“My favorite part of the parade is the band,” Perez said. “I like music, (Clovis) played really good.”

The parade featured 84 floats and an assortment of rodeo queen candidates, clowns, classic cars, horses and colorful costumes.

A Shriner in a miniature fire engine drove along the side of the street giving high fives to the children. Another Shriner drove by spraying unsuspecting children and adults with water from a secret hose hidden on the side of the fire engine.

Jay and Kim Parmenter of Clovis enjoyed the old cars and trucks, and horses. They have been coming out to the parade for years.

Kim said she has an affinity for old things and loves one the horses named Boomer, who pulls a white carriage.

“It is great,” Jim said. “There were a lot of entries in the parade. Old cars and tractors -LESS-THAN-0055188-and seeing-GREATER-THAN-0055188- friends in the parade.”

2009 Pioneer Days Parade Winners

Sweepstakes – Cannon Air force Base Honor Guard

Marching/Walking units

1. United States Marine Corps.

2. Clovis High School ROTC

3. AMVETS Post #14 Honor Guard.

Floats (Commercial)

1. Carpet Tech

2. Affordable Pest Control & Landscapes

3. Odie Tillman Lawn Care.

Mounted units

1. Cattle Capital Cowbells

2. Texas Tech Masked Rider

3. Curry County Mounted Patrol.

Motorized and antique vehicles

1. Shriners Group Alb-A-Kar

2. Ray Lee Equipment

3. Shriners Cycle Corp.

Floats (Clubs and organizations)

1. Red Hat Floozies

2. Running Water Draw Symposium

3. Clovis Kitchen Band.

Other

1. Wilma Fulgham — Rodeo Queens

2. Boomer and Co. — Alton Rose

3. Curry County Commission Centennial Float.