By Crystal Hayduk
Following a stormy start to the day, fine weather prevailed as the Children’s Parade stepped away from the parking lot behind the Common Grill on Tuesday, Aug. 21, marking the official start to the popular Chelsea Community Fair.
The parade, scheduled to begin at 5:30, was delayed by a couple of minutes because the judges, members of the Chelsea High School Key Club, had a difficult time choosing prize winners among the children, ages 3 through 12, who had decorated bikes or wagons.
“There are so many great designs that it’s hard to choose,” said one judge.
With assistance from the Chelsea Police Department and the Chelsea Kiwanis Club, the parade wound its way west on Middle Street to Grant Street, then on to the fairgrounds by way of Pierce and Taylor Streets.
Leading the parade was last year’s fair queen, Savanna Burchett; followed by two of this year’s candidates. Makenna Kern was unable to participate in the parade due to a conflict with showing some of her animals. (See related story here: https://chelseaupdate.com/meet-the-2018-chelsea-community-fair-queen-candidates/.)
No parade is complete without marching band music, so the seventh and eighth grade Beach Middle School band participated, under the direction of Katy Steklac.
As if the parade didn’t bring out enough camaraderie, the decorations added to the fun and enjoyment. The children took great pleasure in lending a creative touch to their bikes and wagons.
Carolyn Klink decorated her bike with a variety of stuffed animals to make a mobile pet shelter. Her sister Norah’s bike was transformed into Pegasus, the winged horse in Greek mythology. Norah may have felt as if she’s really flying, since she just learned to ride her two-wheeler a couple of days ago, according to her dad.
Eight-year-old Lyla Christie decorated her bike with butterflies and flowers, just because she likes them. This is her second time participating in the parade. “I did it last year and it was fun, so I’m here again,” she said, as she ate a snack prior to the parade so she would have energy for the trip.
Emmie Rett’s design was Halloween-themed. The five-year-old is going to start kindergarten in September and she said she is ready for fall.
The following is a list of the winners in each category:
Ages three to five – Sophia Parker (1st), Emmie Rett (2nd), Emma Palmbos (3rd), and Anna Palmbos (4th).
Ages six to eight – Tabitha Gower (1st), Sophie Layher (2nd), Gabe Proko (3rd), and Emma Clouse (4th).
Ages nine to 12 – Aden Castile (1st), Cecilia and Libby Bayer (2nd), Hazel Baushke (3rd), and Maggie Montane (4th).
Miscellaneous, mixed ages – Sydney and Lucy Gibb (1st), and Fiona and Mabel Kleber (2nd).
