By DOUGLAS W. MOTLEY
Senior Writer
This year’s 45th annual Blue Jay holiday parade stepped off at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7 with more than 1,000 men, women and children in attendance. This year’s theme was “Our House is a Very, Very, Very Fine House.”
Leading the parade was a colorful Uncle Sam, peddling an old-fashioned penny-farthing (high wheeler) bicycle, which was followed by a procession of some 45 floats, unique vehicles, bands, animals and marching units.
“Linda and Bill Miller worked tirelessly to ensure this long-standing Blue Jay parade and community tradition continued,” said Polly Sauer of the Women’s Club of Lake Arrowhead, who coordinated the parade again this year. “We were all very saddened to learn of Bill’s passing a few days before the parade,” said Sauer, Linda’s co-chair for the parade.
“Bill, looking down from heaven, was so very pleased with this year’s 45th annual Blue Jay parade. He was so proud of all of you,” Linda Miller said.
The winning entries were: Best Theme – Arrowhead Lake Association; Best Music – Rim of the World High School marching band; Outstanding Humor – Boys Scouts of American Troop 89 and Pack 264; Mistress of Ceremonies Choice: Jeannine’s Fine Furnishing, designed and provided for the Women’s Club of Lake Arrowhead.
Announcing this year’s lineup of parade entrants was Hollywood actress Gloria Loring. (Photos by Douglas W. Motley)
Heralding the Christmas season was Santa himself, accompanied by Mrs. Claus, in SkyPark at Santa’s Village horse-drawn carriage.
Six-year-old Parker, a first-grader at Charles Hoffman Elementary School, said he liked all of the floats.
Rim High School cheerleaders entertained spectators along the parade route.
A 1950s era patrol car was one of several San Bernardino County Sheriff’s vehicles featured in the parade.
Cecilia Ponce de Leon – the Lake Arrowhead Communities Chamber of Commerce board of directors chairwoman and owner/publisher of the Alpine Mountaineer – was a proud parade entrant.
The Mountain Fifes and Drums Corps is a perennial parade favorite.
One of the early parade marching units was the Rim Blue Star Moms.
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