Sunday, May. 25, 2008
Grand Parade celebrates travel
Crowd enjoys spectacle in picnic weather
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closeBELLINGHAM — Summer won’t start until June, but one wouldn’t know it from the scene along Cornwall Avenue at noon Saturday.
People in sunglasses, shorts and T-shirts lined the avenue on folding chairs and beach blankets to watch the 2008 Ski to Sea Grand Parade. Some even brought picnic lunches.
Melissa Vahl and her family spread out on chairs and a blanket eating sandwiches and apple slices.
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SKI TO SEA EVENTS
TODAY- Ski to Sea Race, 8:30 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 Car and Wooden Boat Show, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Boulevard Park, 758-4117.
- It All Ends in Fairhaven festival, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. at Fairhaven Village Green, 10th Street at Mill Avenue, with music, food and craft vendors, kids’ activities. Beer garden at 11th Street and McKenzie Avenue with music.
- Ski to Sea Main Stage, noon-5:30 p.m., Marine Park. Music and food. Free admission. Ski to Sea awards celebration, Marine Park main stage, 6 p.m.
- All-City Dance, 7:30 p.m.-midnight, Northwood Hall, 3240 Northwest Ave. $10 at the door.
FAIRHAVEN SHUTTLE
What: Shuttle between Western Washington University parking lot and It All Ends in Fairhaven celebration today.
Departs: WWU Lot C, at Bill McDonald Parkway and West College Way.
Arrives/return pickup: 12th Street near Harris Avenue.
When: Every 15 minutes starting at noon. Last shuttle leaves Fairhaven at 8:30 p.m.
Fare: 75 cents each way or valid WTA bus pass.
Vahl and her family were looking forward to watching her husband in the parade. He would be performing songs from “Oklahoma!” with Sudden Valley’s Barn Theatre.
“He’s an Oklahoma cowboy!” said Vahl’s son, Eliot.
And there was one more thing Eliot couldn’t wait for.
“Cotton candy!” Eliot said, as a vendor with plastic packs of turquoise and pink cotton candy made his way down Cornwall.
By noon, the vendor wasn’t the only one traveling down the avenue. More than 100 parade entrants, including floats and high school marching bands, participated in the parade.
Among the entries was a float designed by Diehl Ford.
Taking the parade’s theme of “Transportation — Past Present and Future,” Diehl’s float showed the progression of transportation during a 200-year span.
Pulling the float and representing the present was a black Ford F150. On top of the float, parked behind a red, white and blue birthday cake, was a red Ford Model R from 1908.
“And, yes, it runs,” said Mike Diehl, whose great-grandfather, Hugh Diehl, founded Diehl Ford 100 years ago.
Behind the Model R was a glimpse of the possible future — a “2108” silver spaceship, complete with a spoiler and a Ford logo.
Another eye-catching parade participant was the Marine Reserve Corps Toys for Tots boat, which had teddy bears lining its bow and stern.
“We want to get the word out to low-income families,” said Betty McMaster, who helps with Toys for Tots. “We want every child to have a toy for Christmas.”
McMaster, born and raised in Bellingham, said she hadn’t participated in the Grand Parade until last year, and she wondered why she hadn’t done it sooner.
“It’s just awesome,” McMaster said. “People are so happy when you go by.”
Melanie Ottley, who started saving her spot on Cornwall Avenue at 9:30 a.m., said what she enjoys most is recognizing people she knows in the parade.
“It gives a sense of community,” Ottley said. “And it’s fun to get out when the weather is so nice.”
SKI TO SEA GRAND PARADE AWARD WINNERS
Grand Sweepstakes Winner: The Dream Train.
County Executive’s Award: Whatcom Arts Cooperative Independent Theatre.
Non Commercial Entry, Mayor’s Award: Knights of Columbus Bellingham Council No. 829.
Mount Shuksan: Lummi Tribal Police.
Vern Blair: Whatcom County Amateur Hockey Association.
Mount Baker: Skagit State Bank.
Novelty 1st Place: The Wig Out Recreation Club.
Novelty 2nd Place: The Dream Train.
Best Novelty Costume: Northwest Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Best Equestrian: Wilder Family Draft Horses.
Best Draft Horse Hitch: Ebenezer Christian School.
Best Cleanup Crew: Whatcom County Search & Rescue.
Best Equestrian Group: The Barn Theatre “Oklahoma or Bust.”
Best Stock Car: Bob Diehl — 1957 Ford Thunderbird.
Commercial Entry: Keller Williams.
Best Antique Truck: Whatcom County Fire District No. 7.
Best Antique Car: Gerald Metzger, Orchard Water Assn. — 1927 Model T Ford.
Best Association/Club Presentation: 4th Corner Elites.
Best Cheer: Bellingham High School.
Best Flag Team: Ferndale High School.
Best Drill/Dance Team: Bellingham High School.
Doc Leedy Best Overall Band: Bellingham High School.
Best Drum Major: Bellingham High School.
Best Drum Line: Bellingham High School.
AAAA First Place Band: Marysville Pilchuk High School.
AAA First Place Band: Ferndale High School.
AAA Second Place Band: Squalicum High School.
AAA Third Place Band: Sehome High School.
AA First Place Band: Bellingham High School.
AA Second Place Band: Mount Baker High School.
AA Third Place Band: Blaine High School.
Honorable Mention: Chase Middle School, Spokane.
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