Poway Days Parade needs your support
Powegians are fond of saying that the thing they like the most about living in “The City in the Country” is the small-town feel of the city. They have been known to wax poetic about Poway being a family-centered community, a good place to raise kids and de-stress from a busy world.
While not the sleepy burg of the 1950s and ‘60s, Poway has still managed to keep much of its small-town appeal. A perfect example is the Poway Days Parade, which on Sept. 10 will return for the 52nd consecutive year.
The parade offers a nod to the city’s western heritage, which is a bit of a historical stretch. Regardless, the parade has rolled down Poway Road year after year, featuring marching bands, a few floats, pageant queens and princesses, lots of kids walking and riding bikes, and a nice representation from the equestrian community. (This being an election year, a few politicians may be allowed in.)
The parade and the Poway Rodeo (Sept. 23-24) used to represent the beginning and end of a busy couple weeks of community events. In past decades there were chili cook-offs, whisker-growing contests, melodramas, business decorating contests and other themed activities. All gone now, sadly.
Over the years several groups have handled the responsibility of putting on the parades. It’s now under control of the Rotary Club of Poway-Scripps, with Pauline Getz in charge. She and a small handful of volunteers do most of the hard organization work, but they depend on last-minute volunteers to ensure an orderly parade. About 100 entries, including all of the local high school marching bands, are expected. Getting everyone lined up in the right order and heading in the correct direction takes a coordinated effort.
If you’d like to help out on parade day, visit powaydaysparade.org. Fill out the form and someone will be in touch. No special talents are needed, just a desire to keep a nice small-town thing going.
If you’d like to help even more, consider being a parade sponsor. The top category, parade title sponsor, is still available at $5,000. Other sponsorship levels are much less. Again, find out more through the event website.
If nothing else, plan on lining along Poway Road on the morning of Sept. 10. If you’re a fan of small-town charm, you will like what you see.