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Fair parade features fun characters, floats
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
By Wendy Lynn Brion Staff Writer
Crowds lined the streets of Clearfield last night to watch the annual Clearfield Firemen's Parade as it wound its way from downtown to the track at the fairgrounds. In some places the people were lined up three or four deep.
People come to watch the parade for a variety of reasons, for the animals, for the fire trucks, or to watch the floats or collect candy.
"The bands," Jean Evans of Clearfield said when asked why she comes to the parade. "I've got grandchildren in there." She was not the only grandparent watching the parade this year. Donna Ellis of Houtzdale also said she came for that reason. "We're here because it's my granddaughter's first year in the Moshannon Valley band and we've been following her all year," she said.
Her friend Sharon Gregory, also of Houtzdale, agreed. "I like the high school bands," she said.
Some people come for the animals, though. "I like the horses," Abbey Foster of Falls Creek said, eagerly watching toward the beginning of the parade for the start. "And the cowgirls and cowboys ... because I am a cowgirl!"
Abbey wasn't disappointed as there were several horse units in the parade this year, as well as dogs and people in animal costume, receiving waves and hugs from young and old alike.
This year's theme was "A Century of Celebrating Fairs and Agriculture," the same theme being used by the state. Many of the groups participating in this year's fair reflected that theme, especially 4-H, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, and Clearfield FFA.
The winners of this year's parade were announced after the fireworks display and are as follows:
Fire equipment awards:
• Best overall engine: Mountain Top Fire Co. of Sandy Ridge
• Second best overall engine: Montmorenci of Ridgway
• Best overall engine/tanker: Morris Township Fire Co.
• Second best overall engine/tanker: Westover Fire Co.
• Best overall tanker, 1,500 gallons or more: Karthaus Fire Co.
• Second best overall tanker, 1,500 gallons or more: Columbia Fire Co., Osceola Mills
• Best overall aerial: Crystal Fire Co., St. Marys.
• Second best overall aerial: Hyde Fire Co.
• Best overall rescue truck: Blazing Arrow
• Second best overall rescue truck: Excelsior
• Best overall ambulance or quick response services: Ridgway
• Fire company making best appearance: Lawrence Township
• Fire company traveling the longest distance: Pine Creek
• Best overall fire apparatus (judges' choice sponsored by Paul "Foot" and Sue Lanich): Bald Eagle
2012 Band Awards
• Senior School Band (Class AAA): first place, Purchase Line; second place, Marion Center
• Senior School Band (Class AA): first place, Curwensville; second place, West Branch
• Senior School Band (Class A): first place, DuBois; second place, Moshannon Valley
• Junior High School Band: first place, Clearfield; second place, Curwensville
• Best appearing band front: Curwensville
• Best drum major (judges' award): Purchase Line
• Best color guard captain (judges' award): N/A
• Miniature twirling unit: first place, Nittany Dreamers; second place, Morris Cooper Mini Majorettes; third place, Shooting Stars
• Best drum and bugle/pipe band: Keystone Regiment
• Best appearing float using parade committee theme: Gardner's Candies
• Best of show overall (parade committee choice sponsored by Paul "Foot" and Sue Lanich) Clearfield Historical Society
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