“Get Your Groove on Route 66” Sept. 24 Parade
NBC-4 News, Chuck Henry to Serve as Grand Marshal
DUARTE, CA, September 14, 2011 – She’s 85 years old and folks thought she was done years ago, but Mother Road is still kicking and on Saturday, Sept. 24, thousands will get their kicks on Route 66 celebrating America’s fabled highway in Duarte’s 16th annual Salute to Route 66 Parade.
A colorful cavalcade of antique and classic cars, marching bands, equestrian units, dancers and marchers, some 1,400 participants in all, will step off promptly at 10 a.m. led by NBC4’s Chuck Henry, this year’s grand marshal. The parade will travel along a one-mile segment of Duarte’s historic Route 66, Huntington Dr., from Cotter St. east to Mt. Olive Ave.
In addition to the many local school, church and community groups, the parade also attracts participants from throughout Southern California eager to share a role in the nation’s only annual parade to celebrate Route 66. Among the more than 1,400 participants will be seven marching bands from Diamond Ranch High School, Pomona; Don Lugo High School, Chino; Duarte High School; Rim of the World High School, San Bernardino; John Burroughs High School, Burbank; San Dimas High School; and Beckman High School, Irvine. Equestrian participants will include Jann of Sweden, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Temple City Posse, and the Nieto Family Equestrians. Herlinda Figueroa’s Ballet Folklorico will perform along the parade route as will the Ontario Ovation Baton Twirlers. Every Duarte school will be represented in the parade as well as scout troops, the Duarte Boxing Club, and numerous community organizations.
Known for his versatility, Grand Marshal Chuck Henry has been lauded for both his hard news reports and for his lighter stories. In addition to his work in local news, Henry is the executive producer and host of the Emmy award-winning “Travel Café,” a half-hour program that examines interesting places, cultures and cuisines. Following the parade, Henry will meet the community and sign autographs at the Car Show from 12 noon to 1 p.m.
The parade will bestow special honors on two longtime, dedicated Duarte volunteers. Frank Haynes and Dorothy Smith will be honored as Community Grand Marshals for their outstanding leadership of the nonprofit Duarte Community Service Council which provides emergency support and welfare services for needy Duarte families. Smith, a 52-year Duarte resident has been a volunteer with the Duarte Community Service Council since 1993 and has served as president since 2000. She also volunteers her time with the Duarte Senior Center monthly County food program and the Duarte Parks and Recreation Healthy Cities program. Haynes, an 18-year resident of Duarte, is treasurer of the Duarte Community Services Council and has volunteered with the organization since 2004. He also serves on the Duarte Public Services Commission, and is the current president of the Duarte Community Coordinating Committee.
The parade is co-sponsored by the City of Duarte, the Route 66 Parade Committee and the Duarte Community Coordinating Council. Business sponsors for this year’s parade are: City of Hope, Burrtec Waste, California-American Water, Rancheros Restaurant, Home Depot, Frontier Hardware, Stor America, Grover Manufacturing, 7-11, Simon Rental, Jan's Towing, Bowden Development, Quality Inn, DCTV, Duarte Elks Lodge, The Leven Oaks Assisted Living, and Royal Oaks Manor.
Immediately following the parade, the fun will continue at the Duarte City Picnic and Classic Car Show at Royal Oaks Park from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Celebrating the 54th anniversary of Duarte’s incorporation, the picnic will offer a variety of food, craft and game booths sponsored by community nonprofit groups, a classic car show, and two stages featuring a variety of live entertainment beginning at 11 a.m. The main Celebration stage will feature performances by Rock band, Parkaimoon, and Pop group Colton B & the L.A. Hip Kidz with the Rage Crew world champion dance group. Youngsters can enjoy a variety of special entertainment performed on the Children’s Stage, including children’s Pop band, Perfect Opposite, and a show featuring Chumis the Clown. A free arts and crafts area will be located adjacent to the Children’s Stage, along with a mini-carnival area with games for candy prizes, and a giant inflatable slide.
Opened in 1926, Route 66 was the first highway to connect Chicago to Los Angeles. It was nicknamed the Main Street of America because it passed through the heart of communities, including Duarte, for more than 2,000 miles from the Great Lakes to the Pacific Ocean. Route 66 was decommissioned in 1973 when the interstate highway was completed, but the love and lore of Route 66 lives on. For more information about Duarte’s Route 66 Parade and Classic Car Show, visit the event website, www.duarteroute66parade.com, or leave a message at (626) 260-0993. For additional information about the City Picnic contact Duarte Parks and Recreation at (626) 357-7931.
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