Colony Days Parade celebrates Atascadero’s past, present, and future
Despite rain making the event more wet than expected, the “Tent City” in Sunken Gardens still attracted many parade attendees.
The Escuela Del Rio’s Despicable Me float impressed audience members of all ages as it passed by.
Keeping up with the past, present, and future theme, the AHS Drama department performed the “Time Warp” from The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Colony Days Parade celebrated 103rd anniversary of the founding of Atascadero
Atascadero residents flocked toward El Camino Real on Saturday Oct. 15, bringing folding chairs and umbrellas for the 2016 Colony Days Parade. The parade was celebrating the 103rd anniversary of the founding of Atascadero. This year’s theme was “the Past, Present, and Future of Atascadero”. Despite rain soaking most of the people and floats that participated in the event, crowd support kept the participants high in spirit as they marched through the streets on the mile long walk.
The parade featured a variety of associations, schools, and companies that wished to celebrate their home town in their own way. The Atascadero High School marching band led the way, getting the audience excited for what was to come later on. Grenda Ernst, the Grand Marshal and Atascadero Library advocate, followed suit. The parade included several impressively crafted floats that put the crowd in awe as they passed by. Two floats, most notably, were created by the Escuela Del Rio “Thunderbolts” (who came by dressed as minions from the animated film Despicable Me and featured a large float made to look like the main character, Gru’s, flying ship) and the Community Church of Atascadero (who rode a float made to look like a giant greyhound which spanned the length of the entire vehicle).
In addition to floats, the parade also displayed a number of entertaining acts such as dancers from the Fine Arts Academy, the AHS Drama Department (who performed the Rocky Horror Picture Show’s “Time Warp”), and actors from “The Haunt”, (the local haunted house attraction) who were in full spooky attire. Several political candidates also made an appearance during the festivities, including Nicholas Mattson, Debbie Arnold, Charles Bourbeau, and Jordan Cunningham. Overall, the parade was just as energetic and fun in the rain as it would have been on a clear day.
While the parade passed by, attendees could also peruse the “Tent City” held in the Sunken Gardens in front of the Atascadero City Hall. The fair featured live music, food, and numerous activities to enjoy. Some of these activities included giant “Zorb Ballz”, for kids to roll around in and bungie-trampolines that had those riding flying high in the air. Hand-crafted bird houses, clothes, and other small products kept shoppers buying what local businesses had to offer. With so many things to see and do, the “Tent City” always kept people interested and having fun.
The annual Colony Days Parade was an enjoyable way for Atascadero residents to reconnect with their community and celebrate their city’s past history, current progress, and future goals.
