Citrus Festival weekend big hit
Traditional hometown Citrus Parade honors SP’s heritage and culture
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
Published: July 25, 2007
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula Times
It was a traditional hometown parade when the 40th Annual Kiwanis Citrus Festival event stepped out onto Main Street Saturday morning, a procession introduced by a fly-over by Santa Paula Airport classic aircraft and a banner noting “Celebrate!” courtesy of aviator Pete Mason.
And celebrating it was, as Parade Grand Marshals Debbie and Don Johnson, riding in a classic 1937 Cadillac, followed the 187th Airborne Color Guard - the most decorated group in WWII - to lead the procession of elected officials, floats, classic and antique cars and tractors, public safety personnel and equipment and those parade favorites, low-riders.
The fly-over included a 1938 DGA II Howard - one of only two in the world still in the air - as well as PT-17, Boeing Stearmans, Bucker Jungmeister biplane, Blannca Scout and three J3 Cubs.
Grand Marshals Debbie and Don Johnson were honored for their longtime community activism including as publishers of the Santa Paula Times, which offers strong support to clubs and organizations, including Kiwanis. Debbie, a founder of Women of History among other programs and events, is the president of the Santa Paula Downtown Merchants Association. Don has been active with the Boys & Girls Club, among others, and has served as a Santa Paula Councilman and Mayor.
Mayor Ray Luna was at the wheel of his 1971 classic Corvette, while Councilman Dr. Gabino Aguirre waved to the crowd from the city’s oldest fire engine, a vintage Mack. Riding in her signature Sebring convertible was Supervisor Kathy Long.
The Santa Paula Police Department Mobile Command Post wowed the crowd, which enjoyed entries ranging from a 1949 Dodge Coronet to Radio Lazar’s custom vans, the Limoneira vintage trolley, Juan Carlos Ramirez, DDS and his tooth brushing bear, and the Clasique Touch Car Club with customized paint and hydraulics for some parade “bouncy-bouncy.”
Classic Covairs from the Ventura County club, a 1938 Buick special and Model A Ford Car Club - more than 40 years old with more than 40 cars and pickups from throughout the county - were also crowd favorites, as were the members of the Mercer-Prieto VFW.
Santa Paula Kiwanis rode royally in David Luna’s gleaming AirStream trailer, giving the Sunkist Orange Man an extra sun-kissed look.
ARC Mobile Car Wash was decorated for the occasion, and Citrus Capital Clowns AKA Rozzi and friends brought plenty of laughs with Darlene Berry’s cheerily decorated car.
Three Santa Paula Girls Softball Teams - sent to the State and Regional Finals and making a good showing - received rousing cheers, as did Miss Ventura County Teen USA Taylor Atkins of Piru and Miss Coastal Cities Teen USA Katie Feltes as they “Queen-waved” the crowd.
John Heilman’s 1923 Model T Ford, Memory Lane Classics led by Derek Luna, and Topa Topa Flywheelers - crowd-pleasing antique trailers and farming equipment - were on hand, as was the FFA float and Briggs 4-H parade of market lambs. Twin Pines Healthcare residents enjoyed their participation on the back of a semi-truck sporting citrus colored decorations, and after more paraders the Santa Paula Fire Department closed the event to loud applause.
Incoming Kiwanis President Ken Stock, who coordinated the parade, and street moderator Peggy Kelly provided the narrative for the parade. The parade will be aired on Time Warner Cable Channel 10 Tuesday at 4 p.m. (if a meeting is held Tuesday, the broadcast will be moved to Wednesday at 4 p.m.), Wednesday at 11 p.m. (the regular schedule), Thursday at 6 p.m., Saturday at 8 a.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.
