The 2016 Miss Washington Alicia Cooper is the Grand Marshal of the 53rd annual Hazel Dell Parade of Bands. Cooper is a Clark County native.
Aside from bands, there are six other divisions of the parade, one of which is specialty vehicles.
Battle Ground High School band members participate in a previous Hazel Dell Parade of Bands.
The 53rd annual Hazel Dell Parade of Bands is set to flood Hazel Dell Avenue from 78th to 99th streets with music, classic cars, floats and horses this Saturday in Vancouver.
Roads will close at 8 a.m. for the expected 5,000 participants and 20,000 viewers attending the parade which starts at 10:30 a.m. Co-chair Brad Lothspeich said the event will end around 1:15 p.m.
Saturday’s festivities begin with a Lion’s Club breakfast from 7-10 a.m. at Fire District 6, Station 1 at 8800 NE Hazel Dell Ave. According to Lothspeich, pancakes, scrambled eggs, juice and coffee will all be available for $6.50, or $5.50 for children and seniors, and kids under 5 eat free.
In the parade, 2016 Miss Washington Alicia Cooper, will lead the participants through the route as Grand Marshal. The parade theme is “Follow Your Dreams” and Lothspeich said it was chosen to fit her personal story.
At 16, Cooper got involved in the Miss America contest and last September placed third runner-up. She has won over $40,000 in college scholarships through pageantry and will be graduating debt free next spring from WSU Vancouver where she is pursuing a social science major and double minor in psychology and communications.
“I think my personal story of perseverance and accomplishments does embody the theme,” Cooper said.
“We felt that given her aspirations and accomplishments, this theme was appropriate,” said Lothspeich. “We always try to tie the theme around our Grand Marshal as best we can.”
Cooper grew up in North Clark County and participated in the Parade of Bands several times as a dancer when she was young.
“I feel extremely honored and excited to be Grand Marshal,” Cooper said. “Especially since I’ve been involved before and I’m excited to represent Clark County and this whole area.”
Behind Cooper, Lothspeich said there will be 29 bands mostly from Clark County, but some from Oregon and other regions of Washington as well. From North Clark County, middle and high school bands from the Ridgefield, Battle Ground and Hockinson school districts will all be marching.
Besides bands, there are six other divisions of the parade — horses, floats, commercial floats, classic cars, specialty vehicles and political campaigns. The following awards will be presented to judged entries:
• Grand Marshal’s Award — Presented to the entry which best represents the theme of the parade out of all divisions.
• Director’s Award — Presented to the best entry in the equestrian division.
• Association Award — Presented to the best entry in the non-commercial division.
• President’s Award — Presented to the best entry in the commercial division.
• Founder’s Award — Presented to the best entry in the classic cars division.
• Chairman’s Award — Presented to the best entry in the specialty vehicles division.
There will also be some consolation and spirit awards given out by judges.
Other than the theme, Lothspeich said not much will be different in this year’s parade compared to previous years.
“We try not to change it as much as we can,” said Lothspeich. “It’s a good wholesome parade.”
Non-participating parade attendees can park their cars at the surrounding businesses of Target on Hazel Dell Avenue, Dollar Tree on 99th Street, and Safeway on 83rd Street. Parade officials said pets are welcome, but they must be on a leash and a pooper scooper must be carried.
The Hazel Dell Parade of Bands is presented by the Hazel Dell/Salmon Creek Business Association. For more information on the parade, visit hdscba.org or call 360-600-6355.
