LAKEPORT, Calif. – On Saturday, May 23, the Lake County Chamber of Commerce presented the annual Lakeport Memorial Day parade.  

“This was a perfect Lake County day with great crowds and beautiful weather,” said Chamber Chief Executive Officer Melissa Fulton.

The 2015 Theme was “Salute to Our Veterans,” a tribute to all the Armed Forces and their families for all they have given and continue to give to keep our freedom alive.

Fulton offered thanks to the following for their assistance in bringing this traditional welcome to Summer for Lakeport and Lake County: Lakeport Public Works and Lakeport Police Department; Lake County Fairgrounds; Mendo Mill Lumber & Home Center for providing the judges' stage; Paul Reading, an awesome announcer as always; and Wally Cox of the Kiwanis Club of Lakeport, who took care of posting the no parking signs on Main Street Friday morning – 24 hours prior to the required street closure.

The chamber also extended its appreciation to parade judges Merri Fauchald of Neils Construction, Chamber Director Bert Hutt of SERVPRO and Fulton. The equestrian judge was Kim Cipro of Lower Lake, representing the California State Horsemen’s Association.

Stage setup and decoration was done by Fauchald and Fulton; Ginny Clinton, chair for the Parade Lineup for the 24th year in a row was assisted by Mike Gomes of The Office Spot, Richard Neils of Neils Construction and Barry Clinton.

A last-minute entry was the Patriot Guard Riders, who weren’t in the script. The chamber thanked the group for its participation with Operation Tango Mike.

Stage and parking sign tear down was covered by Neils, Hutt, Fauchald and Fulton.

“It definitely takes a great many ‘hands’ to put a parade together, the chamber extends a huge thank you to everyone who helped,” Fulton said.

The results for the Lakeport Memorial Day Parade are as follows.

DIVISION I – FLOATS/GROUPS

Best of Division: Lakeport Senior Activity Center

COMMERCIAL

First place: Mendo Lake Credit Union

ORGANIZATIONS

First place: Operation Tango Mike
Second place: People Services
Third place: Lakeport Elks Lodge No. 2704

MILITARY

First place: Lake County Pearl Harbor Survivors          
Second place: 40 & 8 Voiture 912 of Lake County
Third place: Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 951                                   

SENIOR/ADULT

First place: Lakeport Senior Activity Center
                 
DIVISION II – VEHICLES

Best of Division: Pat Sperling/Veteran Jess Stevenson

CLUBS

First place: Corvettes of Lake County No. 1

CARS

First place: Pat Sperling w/Veteran Jess Stevenson
Second place: Miss Lake County and Miss Outstanding Teen
Third place: The Panfiglios

MOTORCYCLES

First place: Hillside Can-Am Spyder Group

DIVISION IV – JUNIOR

Best of Division – Junior Giants

SPORTS

First place: Junior Giants

DIVISION V – MUSIC

Best of Division – Clear Lake High School Band

BANDS

First place: Clear Lake High School Band

DIVISON VII – EQUESTRIAN

SENIOR NOVELTY

First place: Lonne Sloan

JUNIOR EQUESTRIAN                        

First place: Karissa Huggins

GRAND SWEEPSTAKES & THEME WINNER              

Operation Tango Mike

JUDGES' CHOICE                                                          

Lakeport Senior Activity Center