- Denise Rockenstein
- Posted On
Annual parade and festival celebrates community; event winners announced
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Lakeshore Lions Club hosted the 58th annual Redbud Festival on Saturday in Clearlake to the tune of “Cartoon Time,” bringing many crowd-pleasing characters to the procession along Lakeshore Drive.
Lake County Fire Protection District Chief Willie Sapeta served as Grand Marshal of the parade.
Sapeta received the honor with recognition of 27 years of service to the district, during which time he worked his way through the ranks to hold his current position as chief.
Sapeta attended Middletown schools launching his career in fire service while still in high school, volunteering with the Middletown Fire Protection District.
His career has included service with the former Lucerne Fire District, EMT-II/paramedic certification as well as service with the Lake County Sheriff's Office of Emergency Services.
Sapeta says he lives to be a fireman and there isn't a day he wakes up that he doesn't feel like going to work.
Sapeta and his wife Rachelle have four children, a daughter and three sons. Being their dad, he said, to him, is the most important job in the world.
Redbud Parade Queen Thea Biasotti was joined in her royal court by princesses Katelynn Dillingham and Shelby Harris. The Lower Lake High School 2015 graduates were recognized for the academic achievements, leadership and contributions.
“Tooter and Ginger Snaps” of Castle Donuts was awarded Best Overall Entry. The colorful couple wave to the crowd from behind painted faces and a big red nose. First runner-up was the Sons of the American Legion and its homage to “The Flintstones.”
Kim Bauer and her Mazda Miata overrun by “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” was the second-runner-up and third runner-up was Jimmy Rickel.
Most patriotic entry went to Becky Broman, who was towing red, white and blue decked-out boat full of water toting kids.
Additional parade results were as follows:
– Fraternal/service club floats: Sons of the American Legion, first place; Veterans of Foreign Wars No. 2337, second place.
– Commercial floats: Baby Baby, first place; Brookdale, second place; Enterprise Towing, third place.
– Non-commercial floats: Kim Bauer, first place; Lake County Tiny Home Village, second place; Pearl Harbor Survivors, third place.
– Antique cars (pre-1940s): Bev VanPelt, 1930 Desoto, first place.
– Classic cars: Camaro Owners of Lake County, first place; Low Life Car Club, second place; Leo Perodi, third place.
– Unusual car, electric and steam: Jimmy Rickel, 2004 Ranger Towing, first place; Layne Paving, second place; 40 & 8, third place.
– Street Rod: Carol Madieros, 1939 Chevy coupe, first place; Rick and Linda Jones, 1934 Ford, second place.
– Bands: Lower Lake High School Drum Band, first place.
– Drill teams: Lower Lake High School Cheerleaders, first place; Lower Lake Youth Football and Cheerleaders, second place; Boy Scouts Troop No. 44, third place.
– Marching group: Lower Lake High School Varsity Football Team, first place; Kelseyville Girl Scouts, second place; Cub Scouts Troop No. 144, third place.
– Fire departments: Lake County Fire Protection District, first place; Cal Fire, second place.
– Other public service departments: Lake County Sheriff's Office, first place; Clearlake Police Department, second place.
– Clowns: “Tooter and Ginger Snap” of Castle Donuts, first place.
– Funny things, etc.: Becky Broman and Kids, first place; Cliff Madden, second place; Jenna and Justin Curry, third place.
The parade was followed by a daylong festival in Austin Park that culminated with fireworks at dusk.
Email Denise Rockenstein at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .