Swashing, buckling & strutting at Hazel Dell parade

Warm, sunny weather drew an estimated 40,000 people to the Hazel Dell Parade of Bands Saturday morning, where 164 entries — bands, floats, equestrian units and antique cars — carried out the parade theme “Pirate’s Treasure.”

At least 26 marching middle school and high school bands from around the state took part, the most yet, said Dee Memering, who chairs the judging committees.

Bands are not judged in the annual parade, the county’s largest. “It’s all about the kids having fun,” Memering said. “Besides, it would be humanly impossible. How could you judge them?”

The Grand Marshal Award for the best overall parade entry went to the Clark Regional Wastewater District float, a pirate ship drawn by a truck featuring characters dressed as pirates.

In the Directors Award for equestrian entries, Fort Vancouver Rodeo Queen Erin Overbay was the trophy winner and also took the blue ribbon.

The red ribbon went to the Clark County Fair Court.

The Association Award trophy, given to noncommercial organizations, went to the Clark Regional Wastewater District for its pirate float. The float also captured the blue ribbon.

The red ribbon was awarded to the Columbia River Newfoundland Club, for a float featuring dogs in pirate costume. The white ribbon went to a float sponsored by the city of La Center.

The Presidents’ Award trophy, for commercial businesses, went to Twin Star Credit Union. First Independent Bank’s Hazel Dell branch and the Hazel Dell Fred Meyer tied for first place. Second place also was a tie, between Highgate Senior Living and Mind Your Manners Dog Training. Third place went to Kim Calder, an Avon distributor.

The Founders’ Award, for classic cars, saw Rose City Classics take the trophy and blue ribbon. Second place went to Mustangs Unlimited.

In the Chairman’s Award, for specialty vehicles, Scott and Angie Merrill won the trophy and the blue ribbon for an old-fashioned carriage. The red ribbon went to Fort Vancouver Antique Equipment, and third place went to Supertune/Susan Chun.