35th Annual Pine Valley Days Parade

The Mountain Empire High School Red Hawks carried the lead off banner in the Pine Valley Days Parade.

By Christy Scott
The Alpine Sun

     PINE VALLEY — The clip-clop of hooves, roaring engines and sirens could not drown out the cheering and laughs coming from the thousands of people that lined Old Highway 80 during the 35th annual Pine Valley Days parade.

Bill and Sherry Markham were the Grand Marshalls of the 35th Annual Pine Valley Days Parade.

     The parade lead banner stepped off at 9 a.m. on Saturday as thousands of Pine Valley residents and visitors filled lawn chairs, blankets and truck beds to watch. Entries included local residents and businesses as well as groups from all over San Diego County. 
     "This parade used to be so small, maybe 15 minutes long," said Pine Valley resident Linda Peterson. "Now it blows everything else out of the water."
     Peterson and three generations of her family took up spots under the giant oak tree beside Pine Valley Elementary School to watch the parade, which snaked through town for nearly an hour. More than 75 entries took part in the parade.
     "We’ve been really successful this year with entries," said parade coordinator Corinne Lewis. "Usually we have a bunch of people dropping out at the last minute, but this year, we haven’t had anyone leave."
     As the last few entries rolled by, long time residents nearby could be heard whispering and seen moving themselves away from the side of the road. Then the Mount Laguna Fire Department truck chugged by, its horn at full blasting and hoses out to douse the crowd. Some residents were prepared for this year’s onslaught and were armed themselves with super-soakers to spray the firefighters.
     After the parade ended many people walked Old 80 checking out the many shops set up in parking lots and snacking on the delicious fair food that wafted through town.

Puppeteer Skip Banks and his Marching Presidents.

Parade Line-up
     Parade Lead Off Banner -- 35th Annual Parade, Mountain Empire Redhawk Cheerleaders, Japatul Valley Fire Department, MEMC on Fire Truck, Grand Marshal Banner (carried by James Sofranko & George Harris), Grand Marshals (Bill & Sherry Markham) driven by Clarence Scheidle, Mount Miguel Alumni Band, Jerry/Joanne Price – Roadster, Gene & Loretta Howarth - 1965 Mustang & CHIPPER, Border Patrol Mounted Unit, Seaworld Shamu Cruiser, Miniature Horse Cavalacade, Civil War Re-Enactors, Trant Clowns, Do You Digeridoo?, Picture Perfect Press, Fresian Horses, Kenny Sheton - Juggler/Magician, Outlaws Pace Car (Michael James Insurance), Classic T-Bird Club, Cameron Highlander Bagpipe Band, Little Fire Truck Co., Silver Moon Peruvian Pasos, Mountain Red Hatters, Scripps Miramar Saddlebreds, All American Disposal, Yamma Llamas, Boy Scouts w/sponsorship banner (carried by Lucas & Clint Scholder), Hole In The Wall Gang, Crest Beach Chair Bridage, Skip Banks - Marching Presidents, Branch 22 Tractors, Montgomery HS Steel Drum Band, Rocket Cheer from Alpine, Pine Creek Horse Resort, Leimgruber Tractors (3), Lakeside Frontier Riders, Beck’s Family Rollers, San Diego Military Collectors Club, Arnold Family 1967 Dodge M601 Troop Transport, Will Hayden 1967 Kaiser Jeep Troop Transport, Steve Tesam – Prowler, All Star Clowns, Rubio’s Dance Studio - Jr. Crew, SD County Sheriff - PV Sergeant Don Robbins, SD County Sheriff - with McGruff, SWAT Vehicle, SD County Sheriff - Race Car (Mustang), SD County Sheriff’s Mounted Unit, Pine Valley Little League, Hookbill Hobbyists, Dianne Jacobs driven by Hank Reib, Al Bahr Shrine - Tin Lizzys, etc., Viejas Enterprises Van, Well‚s Fargo Stagecoach, El Rancho Grande Restaurant Entry, Random Order – Band, Pine Valley Bible Camp, Miss Alpine & Courts, Barbara Worth Brigadettes, Model A Restorers Club of San Diego,, Phoenix House, Mountain Empire 4H, Wayne Huhn - 1929 Model A Ford Pick-Up, Marty Chase - Buggies & Quads, Wrigley, Mighty Mini’s - Jamie Gassert, Winchester Widows, Mt. Laguna Fire Dept., US Forest Service - Glencliff Station w/Smokey Bear, Pine Valley Fire Dept., Gaskill Brothers.

Left is a member of the San Diego County Sheriff's Mounted Unit. At right is a member if the Winchester Widows.

Do You Didgeridoo? This group of enthusiasts trumpeted along in the parade.