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Students band together

In 54th year, parade hosts 29 music groups — the most it has ever had

By Jake Thomas, Columbian political reporter
Published: May 19, 2018, 10:56pm
12 Photos
Daisy Iturbide, a seventh-grader at Discovery Middle School, plays in the Discovery Middle School band during the parade on Saturday. It’s the second year the flutist has marched in the annual parade. “It’s my favorite part of the year,” she said.
Daisy Iturbide, a seventh-grader at Discovery Middle School, plays in the Discovery Middle School band during the parade on Saturday. It’s the second year the flutist has marched in the annual parade. “It’s my favorite part of the year,” she said. (Steve Dipaola for the Columbian) Photo Gallery

Starla Rose, an eighth-grader at Discovery Middle School, recalled being a little nervous when she performed with her band in the Hazel Dell Parade of Bands last year for the first time. As a drum major, she has to march in step while giving signals to the rest of the band to stop and start songs while crowds of people watch.

“Sometimes it’s a challenge,” she said. But she said the experience of being out with her friends performing is a fun time.

Saturday was the 54th annual parade. Boy Scouts clad in their uniforms carried banners. Local politicians running for office climbed into convertibles to wave to the public. Classic cars and tractors took to the streets. Members of churches and community groups climbed into trucks they had decked out into floats. Crowds lined up on the street. Kids clutched bags they hoped to fill full of candy thrown or handed to the crowds.

Brad Lothspeich, the long-time chair of the event, said that while there were 133 entries from local businesses, nonprofits and other groups, the event has kept its original focus.

“It’s about the bands,” he said.

Lothspeich said that for most kids in marching bands in Clark County, this is the only event where they can march for crowds. This year, 29 bands performed, the most of any year he said.

Wearing white shoes to match their uniforms, members of the Discovery Middle School band marched in time as they exited a fire station parking lot and joined the parade. This year, the band learned “I’m a Believer,” a tune popularized by The Monkees and Smash Mouth’s “All Star.”

Daisy Iturbide, a seventh-grader who plays flute, said this is the second year she’s done the parade. She said she looks forward to being with her friends and performing for the crowds.

“It’s my favorite part of the year,” she said.

It’s also fun for spectators. Jody Fowler of Ridgefield said she comes every year with her three kids. Her daughter Lily, 11, and Colston, 8, said the music is the best part. Lily Fowler said she particularly enjoys the band from Ridgefield High School. But Hayden Fowler, 6, had a different answer when asked what his favorite part is.

“The candy part,” he said.

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Columbian political reporter