“We are Fifty Something”Loma Linda Hosts 50th Community Parade

On a sunny Loma Linda Sunday, hundreds lined the sidewalks for the 50th Annual Loma Linda Community Parade, hosted by the Loma Linda Chamber of Commerce. The Oct. 20, 2013 theme was “We are Fifty Something,” and community members of all ages lined Anderson Street for the celebration, which began with a parade featuring floats, vehicles and walkers before the celebration continued at Loma Linda Academy at the end of the parade line, which featured vendors, game booths and more. Over 80 groups and organizations participated in the parade, including Mayor Rhodes Rigsby, the Loma Linda Fire Department, firemen, Council Members Ron Dailey and Phil Dupper and other city leaders. Middle schools hailing from throughout the Inland Empire came to march with their bands and color guards, performing routines for the crowd, including Clement Middle School, Moore Middle School, Cope Middle School and Beattie Middle School. Parade entrants ranged from floats to band performances to community organizations, shared Loma Linda Chamber of Commerce CEO Phil Carlisle. Local clubs and organizations, like Loma Linda Youth Baseball & Softball and the Linda Valley Care Center also walked in the parade to spread community awareness. Children walked with baskets filled with candy and business cards, and tossed them to the crowd to promote local business in Loma Linda and surrounding cities. A pair of Model T Fords from 1923 and 1913 left the crowd applauding as they ended the parade after the Crown Firecoach Enthusiasts came rolling down the street in their vintage fire trucks from all over Southern California. Carlisle shared that the event, including planning, takes approximately three months, and has always been a popular community staple. “I think Loma Linda is a very special community and people just enjoy coming out once a year and remembering how nice it is to live, work and play in Loma Linda,” he said. He explained that the third weekend in October is also roughly the anniversary date of when Loma Linda was incorporated as a city in 1970. “It’s a chance for people to get out and be thankful they live in such a nice community,” said Carlisle. The fair following the parade, which took place on the Loma Linda Academy campus, was also an opportunity for community members to support the youth, by patronizing the various food, game, vendor and activity booths several Academy classes set up. Several community organizations sponsored the event this year, including Presenting Sponsor Loma Linda University Health; along with Gold Sponsors Courtesy Staffing Inc., Loma Linda University Print Services, The San Bernardino County Fire Department, Loma Linda University School of Dentistry, Republic Services, Loma Linda Children’s Center, and Omnitrans; and Silver Sponsors Loma Linda Lopers, Spectrotape Corporation, and Seidner’s Collision Center. In future years, shared Carlisle, the Chamber is considering partnering with breast cancer awareness groups to help raise awareness to the cause, dovetailing with the month of November’s national recognition as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. [END] LL 50th Annual Community Parade Date: Sunday, October 20, 2013 Time: 10:00 a.m. Google Map Event Location: Address: Corner of Barton Rd./Anderson St. Loma Linda CA 92354 Description: Join the Loma Linda Chamber and other community members for the 50th annual community parade. Chamber CEO: Phil Carlisle Chamber President: Gary Nelson ORIGINAL ARTICLE: It was an exciting and sunny Sunday for Loma Linda, as hundreds of people lined up along the sidewalk on October 20, 2013 to support fellow Loma Linda community members that participated in the Annual Community Parade. The theme, “We are Fifty Something” seemed fitting, as Loma Linda’s Chamber of Commerce hosted its 50th annual community parade. Community members of all ages were sitting on the sidewalks, waving and celebrating with the participants as they walked down the street. The parade started on the corner of Barton Road and Anderson Street at 10:00am and over 60 different groups and organizations participated in the parade, including Mayor Rhodes Rigsby, firemen, and council members Ron Dailey & Phil Dupper. Middle schools from all around the Inland Empire came to march with their bands and color guards that performed routines for the crowd. Local clubs and organizations such as the Loma Linda Youth Baseball & Softball, and Linda Valley Care Center also walked in the parade to spread community awareness. Children walked with baskets filled with candy and business cards, and tossed them to the crowds to promote local business in Loma Linda and surrounding cities. A 1923 and 1913 Model T car left the crowd applauding as they ended the parade after the Crown Firecoach Enthusiasts came rolling down the street in their vintage fire trucks from all over Southern California. Sponsors of the parade included, Loma Linda University Health, Loma Linda University Print Services, and Loma Linda School of Dentistry, Loma Linda Children Center, and City of Loma Linda- San Bernardino County Fire. INTERVIEW NOTES: Other than having that being our parade theme; many people know this is the 50th one, just go as usual We had almost 80 different entries Floats Band performances Cherries 4x4 club very grateful for the presenting sponsor of Loma Linda University Health Other sponsors: Gold Sponsors: Courtesy Staffing INc. Loma Linda University Print Services The San Bernardino County Fire Department LLU School of Dentistry Republic Services Loma Linda Children’s Center Omnitrans Silver: LL Lopers Spectrotape Corporation Seidners’ Collision Center Also had bands: Clement Middle School Moore Middle School Cope Middle School Beattie Middle School We start about three months out and then it gets more and more intense as the parade gets closer I think LL is a very special community and people just enjoy coming out once a year and remembering how nice it is to live, work and play in Loma Linda. Oct. 20, or the 3rd weekend in Oct. is roughly the anniverary date of when LL became a city, and so it’s a chance for people to get out and be thankful that they live in such a nice community and then go down to the fair afterward and support the school. There’s many classes that have food booths down there so they can earn extra money for their classes. Next year, kicking around the idea of associating it and getting in with a breast cancer group because october is breast cancer awareness month and highlight their efforts, we’re thinking about doing that.