Poway Days Parade has literacy theme

Organizers of this year’s Poway Days Parade have selected “Literacy: Read, Lead, Succeed!” as theme of the Sept. 10 event.

The Rotary Club of Poway-Scripps, which has sponsored the parade since 2013, selected the theme because September is the month Rotary International has designated to recognize basic education and literacy.

The 2016 edition of the parade will also pay tribute to the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, said Club President Pauline Getz. She said the club is in the process of putting together a fundraising campaign to help send local Pearl Harbor survivors to Hawaii in December for commemorative ceremonies.

This will be the 52nd annual parade, which typically draws about 100 entries. Featured are high school marching bands, floats, equestrian units and youth groups. The parade route runs along the east side of Poway Road.

Getz said a grand marshal and one or more honorary grand marshals will be named as the parade date draws closer.

“It’s a truly wonderful, good old-fashioned parade,” Getz said. Besides delighting the more than 10,000 participants it attracts, the parade serves as the club’s largest annual fundraiser to generate money for community service projects after the considerable parade expenses are satisfied.

Fundraising through sponsorships is underway. For more information, visit powaydaysparade.org.