On Monday, May 26, the Canoga Park/West Hills Chamber of Commerce will present its 20th Memorial Day Parade. The parade starts at 11a.m. The two-mile route begins at the corner of Sherman Way and Owensmouth Avenue, traveling east to Desoto where the route continues south to Vanowen then west to its end at Owensmouth Avenue. This year’s parade is dedicated to the “Spirit of Freedom”. It will begin with a military flyover. The Grand Marshal is Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and once again, the Honorary Parade Chair is Councilman Dennis P. Zine. Other dignitaries who will be part of the day’s festivities include Congressman Brad Sherman, State Senator Alex Padilla, Assemblymember Lloyd Levine and County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky. Military units will be prominent. There will be a visit from Ronald McDonald, the Reel Cowboys who are comprised of actors and stunt people who have appeared in western films over the years, the Shriners, the Reseda Buccaneers as well as other surprise and special guests. The Parade Chair is Jack Dawson, Princess Hardwood Flooring and his co-chairs are Joe Andrews, Prudential California Realty and the Walk of Hearts Foundation and Mike Sirota, Woodland Printing. Many community volunteers donate their time to present a line-up that will feature Military Color Guards, marching units, youth groups, dignitaries, antique and classic cars including Al Mooney and his 1953 Red Mercury Monterey Convertible, bands from schools around the Valley, and equestrian entries. There will be professional judging with awards going to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place for each class with sufficient entries. If you would like to volunteer before the event or the day of the event, contact the Chamber Office at 818-884-4222 or E-mail at [email protected]
