Fuel-efficient Avion one of 115 entries in Ski to Sea Grand Parade

JARED PABEN - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

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BELLINGHAM - Craig Henderson's car runs on biodiesel, but that's not why he'll be driving in the Ski to Sea Grand Parade this year.

He'll be there because it barely drinks biodiesel.

The Avion needs less than a gallon of fuel to drive 100 miles, and it's one of the 111 remaining competitors for the $10 million Progressive Automotive X-Prize.

GRAND PARADE
Starts: Noon Saturday, May 23.
Ends: About 2 p.m.
Route: Begins at Alabama Street and Cornwall Avenue. Heads down Cornwall to East Champion Street to North State Street, ending at York Street.
Best viewing: Anywhere along parade route. Bring lawn chairs and arrive early for front-row seats.
Streets closed: Portions of Cornwall and nearby streets closed as early as 7 a.m. Main route closure from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
WEATHER OUTLOOK
Saturday: Sunny, light breeze. High near 65 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, light breeze, high near 65 in Bellingham. At Mt. Baker Ski Area, expect temperatures in the 40s for the first legs of the race.

If Avion theoretically drove 55 to 60 mph in the mile-long parade (Henderson evoked images of the parade scene in the movie "Animal House"), it might need only about 21/2 tablespoons of fuel. But he'll be going a lot slower and doing lots of stopping and starting.

"Parades are kind of hard on your fuel economy," he said.

So how much fuel will he need?

"That would be a good one to calculate, but it's not going to be very much," he said.

Avion is one of the new entrants in the parade, which begins at noon Saturday, May 23, starting at Cornwall Avenue and Alabama Street and running down to York and North State streets. The parade has about 115 entries this year.

Sheila Connors, marketing and events director at the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said a few of the changes this year include:

• A new award, the Ralph Pauley Award, for the best nonprofit military or fraternal organization band. The award is presented by the family of Ira Uhrig and Yeager's Sporting Goods and Marine. It has a $125 cash prize.

• The John C. Burley Award, for best military or fraternal entry, is sponsored and funded this year. It's sponsored by the Bellingham Police Association and has a $125 cash prize.

• Drill teams will be in their own category (with first, second and third prizes awarded to the best teams) this year.

• A tribute-to-returning-veterans float by Johnson's Towing.

• Rick Adelstein, president of Louis Auto and Residential Glass, was selected as this year's grand marshal, a position chosen based on the person's history and involvement in the community.

RELATED EVENTS

SATURDAY, MAY 23

Whatcom Art Guild Show and Sale, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Bloedel Donovan Community Building.

Friends of Bellingham Public Library Used Book Sale, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., downstairs, 210 Central Ave., $3 per bag.

Grand Parade, staging at 10 a.m., judging at 10:30 a.m., parade begins at noon, starting at Alabama Street and Cornwall Avenue.

Harvey Haggard Hoedown, 6 p.m., Welcome Center, 6483 Mount Baker Highway, milepost 23, in Kendall (across from the Texaco station). $5.42 per person. 599-1518.

SUNDAY, MAY 24

Ski to Sea Race, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Mount Baker to Marine Park.

Whatcom Art Guild Show and Sale, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Bloedel Donovan Community Building.

Antique Auto Restorers & Antique Wooden Boat Show, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Boulevard Park, 758-4117, aarcbellingham.com.

Fairhaven Festival, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Fairhaven Village Green, 10th Street at Mill Avenue. Details: fairhaven.com., 961-6749.

Ski to Sea Main Stage, noon-5:30 p.m., Marine Park. Music by Sabrina y los Reyes at noon, The Playlists at 2 p.m., The Joe Coleman Band at 4 p.m. Awards presented at 5:30 p.m.

MONDAY, MAY 25

Whatcom Art Guild Show and Sale, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Bloedel Donovan Community Building.

CARNIVAL INFO

When, where: Runs through Sunday, May 24, Bellis Fair mall. Open at 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Closing hours depend on weather conditions. For updates, call 671-5895.

Tickets: $23 all-day wristband; individual tickets $1; ticket books are $18 for 24 or $30 for 40. Rides require three to five tickets each.