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Thousands line Homestead Rd. for Festival parade

By Staff | Mar 29, 2009

The famous Clydesdale horses trotted down Homestead Rd. in Saturday's Lehigh Spring Festival parade. Photo by Mel Toadvine

Thousands lined Homestead Rd. Saturday for the 35th annual Lehigh Acres Spring Festival Parade which lasted close to two hours. It took almost half that much time before traffic returned to normal following the parade.

The big attraction this year that brought cheers and picture takers all along the route from Beth Stacey to Arthur Ave., were the Budweiser Clydesdales. Onlookers at the intersection of Alabama and Homestead roads got to see the large beautiful horses for several minutes because caretakers that travel with the Clydesdales stopped to give the horses a rest and to clean up droppings on the street. One caretaker rubbed the horses with towels to cool them off.

Three very large Budweiser trailers brought the Clydesdales from New Hampshire. It was the Clydesdales’ second appearance in Lehigh, having been here three years ago in the parade at that year’s festival.

Nearly 100 units either rode or walked their way straight to Arthur Ave., just a quarter mile from Veterans Park where thousands headed to spend the afternoon after the gala parade.

The parade was led by Capt. Ed Tamayo, the commander of Bravo District Lee County Sheriff’s Substation in Lehigh. Lucille Jones, who is in her 90s and has lived in Lehigh for several years was this year’s grand marshal. She rode in an open convertible.

The Junior ROTC class at East Lee County High School was at the start of the parade. It was the first time for the new school's cadettes to participate in the parade. Later, Lehigh Senior High School's Jr. ROTC cadettes also marched in the parade. Photo by Mel Toadvine

And Mary and Jerry Henrick was the pioneer family riding in the parade, a tradition for the past 35 years.

“Somebody spelled our last names wrong on the side of the car,” Mary Henrick said as Susan Teston, the Chamber assistant director, stopped the car for a picture. The Henricks have lived in Lehigh since 1956.

Although nobody could say for sure but it didn’t seem that as much candy was being thrown out by parade participants as in previous years.

The Festival continued at the park with entertainment, a busy midway and other events. The Festival ended at 11 p.m. There were no fireworks display this year because of the high cost, according to Ernie Hartman, the chairman of the Parade Committee.

Also riding in the parade Saturday were winners of the queens pageant and the little prince.

Lehigh Senior High School's Lightning Band provided music as it marched down Homestead Rd. today. Photo by Mel Toadvine

Lucille Jones, who is in her 90s, and who has lived in Lehigh for several years, was the Festival Parade's grand marshal. Photo by Mel Toadvine