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Home / Neighborhood / San Gabriel Valley / Arcadia Weekly / 17th Annual Route 66 Parade and City’s 55th Birthday on Tap

17th Annual Route 66 Parade and City’s 55th Birthday on Tap

by Pasadena Independent
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With “Get Fit on Route 66” the theme of Duarte’s 17th annual Route 66 Parade on Saturday, Sept. 22, parade-goers are encouraged to flex their muscles when Grand Marshals and champion body builders, Brian and Jennifer Whelan pass by.
The Whelans are the owners of the popular Foothill Gym in Monrovia where they train and coach their clients toward a healthy way of life and fitness. They were recently titled Mr. and Mrs. Muscle Beach at Venice Beach. Jennifer is a national level figure competitor and Brian a top body builder.
Duarte’s own fitness guru, Stacey Park, owner and circuit coach of Curves is this year’s Community Grand Marshal. Park also serves the community as an energetic volunteer, active in the Duarte Chamber of Commerce and other local organizations.
Two longtime and beloved Duarte residents, Bill and Nita Norgard will be celebrated in the parade as Duarte Honored Citizens for their many contributions and years of volunteerism in the community.
The parade, which will lead off a day of festivities celebrating the City’s 55th Anniversary, will step off at 10 a.m., followed by the Duarte City Picnic and Classic Car Show at Royal Oaks Park from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
More than 100 parade entries will travel along a one-mile segment of Duarte’s historic Route 66, Huntington Dr., from Cotter St. east to Mt. Olive Ave. The colorful cavalcade, co-sponsored by the City of Duarte, the Route 66 Parade Committee and the Duarte Community Coordinating Council, will feature antique and classic cars, marching bands, equestrian units, and floats. Some 1,400 participants in all will take part in the event, including local school, church and community groups. The parade also attracts participants from throughout Southern California eager to share a role in the nation’s only annual parade to celebrate Route 66, the Mother Road, among them, 10 high school marching bands. Entertaining the parade crowd will be bands from Diamond Bar High School, Diamond Ranch High School, Ganesha High School, Mayfair High School, San Dimas High School, Workman High School, Don Lugo High School, Beckman High School, Basset High School, and Duarte High School.
Business sponsors for this year’s parade are: City of Hope, Burrtec Waste, California-American Water, Performance Nissan, Rancheros Restaurant, Sonic, The Leven Oaks Assisted Living, Stor America, 7-11, Simon Rentals, Jan’s Towing, and DCTV.
Following the parade, the fun continues at the City Picnic at Royal Oaks Park. The public is invited to enjoy food, craft and game booths sponsored by community nonprofit groups. Two performance stages will offer a variety of live entertainment. The main Celebration stage will feature performances by As One, Colton B & the L.A. Hip Kidz, and Rage Crew, world champion dance group. Youngsters can enjoy a variety of special entertainment performed on the Children’s Stage, including children’s Pop band, Perfect Opposite. A free arts and crafts area will be located adjacent to the Children’s Stage, along with a mini-carnival area with free games and a giant inflatable slide.
Car enthusiasts and the whole family can get their kicks at the Route 66 Classic Car Show across from Royal Oaks Park. The car show offers an opportunity to take a close-up look at some of the many beautiful antique and classic cars featured in the parade.
Opened in 1926, Route 66 was the first highway to connect Chicago to Los Angeles. It was nicknamed the Main Street of America because it passed through the heart of communities, including Duarte, more than 2,000 miles from the Great Lakes to the Pacific Ocean. Route 66 was decommissioned in 1973 when the interstate highway was completed, but the love and lore of Route 66 lives on.
For more information about Duarte’s Route 66 Parade and Classic Car Show, visit the event website, www.duarteroute66parade.com. For additional information about the City Picnic contact Duarte Parks and Recreation at (626) 357-7931.

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