A ‘shining' hometown parade

<p>Brilliant sunshine, overwhelming support from the community in a difficult year and a huge turnout made the theme of this year's Butter and Egg Days Parade, “Petaluma's Shining Moments,” a fitting description of last Saturday's event. The parade and party brought out more than 125 volunteers, 3,000 participants and almost 30,000 visitors to downtown.</p><p>“We had a great crowd, exceptional volunteers and perfect weather,” said Marie McCusker, executive director of the Petaluma Downtown Association. </p><p>As people began lining up three and four deep to watch the parade, they consistently echoed the message that Petaluma just wouldn't be Petaluma without the parade.</p><p>“This is quintessential Petaluma,” said Robert Cosgrove, who along with his wife, Jemetha, brought 2-year-old son Dashiell to try and improve upon their son's third-place finish in last year's Cutest Little Chick Contest.</p><p>“Marin doesn't have anything like this,” said Rob Everett, who arrived early this year so he and his wife, Marie, could attend the events before the parade.</p><p>“This is why Petaluma is a hometown and not just a town,” added parade coordinator Toni Bodenhamer. </p><p>The deep commitment that the community has to the parade was especially apparent when the parade budget faced a deficit this year.</p><p>“Most of our customers are local. So when we heard that there was a need, it gave us the chance to give something back to the community that supports us,” said Mike Stan, director of gaming at Casino 101, one of the Save the Parade sponsors.</p><p>Support of the parade on a smaller scale could be seen on the hundreds of spectators wearing “We Love Our Parade” buttons. The $5 buttons continued to sell briskly throughout the morning from the announcer's stands.</p><p>Those who arrived early to reserve prime locations for watching the parade were greeted with the aroma of the French toast and sausage wafting from the 7-11 Lions Club breakfast across from Putnam Plaza.</p><p>Although she had arrived before 6 a.m. to set up, Lions president Carol Janakes said she wouldn't want to be anywhere else. “All the money we raise stays in the community, so when we pack up today, we leave knowing we did something for our town.”</p><p>Fortunately, smells from the Cow Chip Throwing Contest in front of the McNear Building weren't in the air. In the “Battle of the Badges” competition between Chief of Police Dan Fish and Fire Chief Larry Anderson, the fire chief was the clear winner. He left with bragging rights and hand sanitizer.</p><p>Not surprisingly, watching adorable kids in costumes drew a bigger crowd than flinging cow chips. Ranging in age from 2 weeks to 6 years, 72 adorable children in every manner of feathered finery strutted — or were carried — onto the stage for the Cutest Little Chick Contest. Spectators could be heard wondering if Michaels craft stores had been plucked clean of feathers for the contest.</p><p>After serious deliberation by the three judges, 10-month-old Henri Hirschmugl and his 4-year-old sister, Hazel Hirschmugl, won first prize for an historical twist to the poultry theme as Steamer Gold captain and a proper Victorian chicken.</p><p>Riding atop the float as grand marshal, John Maher got a break from pushing and pulling his antique upright piano around downtown as Petaluma Pete.</p><p>“I am overwhelmed to have been chosen grand marshal and honored to have an opportunity to promote my passion: making more music makers,” said Maher.</p><p>Giving the signal to start the parade was Bill Rhodes, a long-time “priceless volunteer,” according to McCusker. Rhodes is so committed to the parade that he performed his duties in spite of an emergency trip to the hospital earlier in the week.</p><p>The parade was true to its agricultural roots with two egg producers and three dairies participating. McClelland Dairy claimed first place in the “Walking Group with Animals” category for its California cow that kept up the pace for the mile-long parade route.</p><p>Students from Harvest Christian School recreating the schooner Alma took the Golden Hammer trophy awarded for the most elaborately decorated float.</p><p>The Petaluma Chapter of the Vietnam Veterans got a rousing response as people stood to honor them as they passed by.</p><p>Following the almost two-hour parade, the crowd dispersed to enjoy booths, music and food throughout the downtown area. As the temperature passed the 70-degree mark, the Beer Garden, watched over by the Petaluma Police Department's new mobile command vehicle, was shoulder-to-sunburned-shoulder. </p><p>The downtown festivities continued Sunday when Kentucky and Fourth streets were closed for the Spring Antique Faire.</p><p>(Contact Colleen Rustad at argus@arguscourier.com)</p>Brilliant sunshine, overwhelming support from the community in a difficult year and a huge turnout made the theme of this year's Butter and Egg Days Parade, “Petaluma's Shining Moments,” a fitting description of last Saturday's event. The parade and party brought out more than 125 volunteers, 3,000 participants and almost 30,000 visitors to downtown.<br>“We had a great crowd, exceptional volunteers and perfect weather,” said Marie McCusker, executive director of the Petaluma Downtown Association. <br>As people began lining up three and four deep to watch the parade, they consistently echoed the message that Petaluma just wouldn't be Petaluma without the parade.<br>“This is quintessential Petaluma,” said Robert Cosgrove, who along with his wife, Jemetha, brought 2-year-old son Dashiell to try and improve upon their son's third-place finish in last year's Cutest Little Chick Contest.<br>“Marin doesn't have anything like this,” said Rob Everett, who arrived early this year so he and his wife, Marie, could attend the events before the parade.<br>“This is why Petaluma is a hometown and not just a town,” added parade coordinator Toni Bodenhamer. <br>The deep commitment that the community has to the parade was especially apparent when the parade budget faced a deficit this year.<br>“Most of our customers are local. So when we heard that there was a need, it gave us the chance to give something back to the community that supports us,” said Mike Stan, director of gaming at Casino 101, one of the Save the Parade sponsors.<br>Support of the parade on a smaller scale could be seen on the hundreds of spectators wearing “We Love Our Parade” buttons. The $5 buttons continued to sell briskly throughout the morning from the announcer's stands.<br>Those who arrived early to reserve prime locations for watching the parade were greeted with the aroma of the French toast and sausage wafting from the 7-11 Lions Club breakfast across from Putnam Plaza.<br>Although she had arrived before 6 a.m. to set up, Lions president Carol Janakes said she wouldn't want to be anywhere else. “All the money we raise stays in the community, so when we pack up today, we leave knowing we did something for our town.”<br>Fortunately, smells from the Cow Chip Throwing Contest in front of the McNear Building weren't in the air. In the “Battle of the Badges” competition between Chief of Police Dan Fish and Fire Chief Larry Anderson, the fire chief was the clear winner. He left with bragging rights and hand sanitizer.<br>Not surprisingly, watching adorable kids in costumes drew a bigger crowd than flinging cow chips. Ranging in age from 2 weeks to 6 years, 72 adorable children in every manner of feathered finery strutted — or were carried — onto the stage for the Cutest Little Chick Contest. Spectators could be heard wondering if Michaels craft stores had been plucked clean of feathers for the contest.<br>After serious deliberation by the three judges, 10-month-old Henri Hirschmugl and his 4-year-old sister, Hazel Hirschmugl, won first prize for an historical twist to the poultry theme as Steamer Gold captain and a proper Victorian chicken.<br>Riding atop the float as grand marshal, John Maher got a break from pushing and pulling his antique upright piano around downtown as Petaluma Pete.<br>“I am overwhelmed to have been chosen grand marshal and honored to have an opportunity to promote my passion: making more music makers,” said Maher.<br>Giving the signal to start the parade was Bill Rhodes, a long-time “priceless volunteer,” according to McCusker. Rhodes is so committed to the parade that he performed his duties in spite of an emergency trip to the hospital earlier in the week.<br>The parade was true to its agricultural roots with two egg producers and three dairies participating. McClelland Dairy claimed first place in the “Walking Group with Animals” category for its California cow that kept up the pace for the mile-long parade route.<br>Students from Harvest Christian School recreating the schooner Alma took the Golden Hammer trophy awarded for the most elaborately decorated float.<br>The Petaluma Chapter of the Vietnam Veterans got a rousing response as people stood to honor them as they passed by.<br>Following the almost two-hour parade, the crowd dispersed to enjoy booths, music and food throughout the downtown area. As the temperature passed the 70-degree mark, the Beer Garden, watched over by the Petaluma Police Department's new mobile command vehicle, was shoulder-to-sunburned-shoulder. <br>The downtown festivities continued Sunday when Kentucky and Fourth streets were closed for the Spring Antique Faire.<br>(Contact Colleen Rustad at argus@arguscourier.com)