The Lake County Chamber wishes to thank our major Memorial Day Parade sponsor this year, Westamerica Bank, which has sponsored this parade for several years. Also, for the past 19 years, the judges' stand was provided courtesy of Piedmont Lumber & Nursery. Our announcer was Paul Reading of Piedmont Lumber. Paul has graciously volunteered for several years to handle this sometimes-challenging task and always does an excellent job.

Our judges this year were: Margaret Silveira, city manager of Lakeport; Ted Mandrones, marketing director for Piedmont Lumber & Nursery; Chuck Holder, owner of Holder Ford Mercury; and Kim Cipro, California State Horsemen's Association, who judged our equestrian entries.

We had a special treat this year, our national anthem was sung by Mckenna Rose Enger, age 7, from Middletown. Mckenna was born with spina bifida but has proven herself to be a hero to everyone around her. Through the Make A Wish Foundation, Mckenna realized a special Wish on May 8 when she sang the national anthem at the Lakeport Speedway.

Because of Mckenna, who is now known as the Lakeport Speedway Princess, there is a fundraiser being held all this summer for the Make A Wish Foundation. Thank you to Mckenna and her family for sharing her with us this year. Thanks to Mckenna’s grandmother, Marsha, for helping to decorate our stage.

Again this year, John Fulton made sure our stage had tables, chairs and the sound system for announcing the parade.

The Lake County Chamber Board of Directors also expresses their gratitude to the city of Lakeport Public Works Department for their assistance with street barricades and the Lakeport Police Department for their assistance with traffic control.

Many thanks to longtime parade lineup Chair Ginny Clinton and her husband Barry, who have worked this parade for the Chamber since 1992. They were ably assisted by Chamber Director Gloria Flaherty of Lake Family Resource Center, Nicole Johnson, executive assistant in the chamber office, her mother Eileen Johnson, Dianna Hendrick and son Eli Hendrick, We are fortunate to have office manager Stephanie Codling and several chamber office volunteers who help us with organizing the parade entries: Myra Wendt, Pat Norcio, Shirley Younce, Bill Knoll and Barbara Lee Conley.

Parade awards will be mailed to all the winning entries. Congratulations to our Grand Sweepstakes winner, the Pearl Harbor Survivors, Chapter 23 North, who also won the Theme Award. Judges Choice went to the Clear Lake High School Marching Band.

Thanks to everyone who worked so hard to bring this parade to Main Street, Lakeport and to all who watched and applauded along the parade route.

Melissa Fulton is chief executive officer of the Lake County Chamber of Commerce, based in Lakeport.