Hometown pride will take center stage when Duarte celebrates "75 Years on the Highway of Dreams" with its 6th annual Salute to Route 66 Parade, Saturday, Sept. 22 beginning at 9 a.m. The parade will kick off a full day of fun. Festivities will include the City picnic, celebrating the 44th anniversary of the Duarte's incorporation, and the Route 66 Vintage Car Show. Both events take place at Royal Oaks Park, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Actor Martin Milner, who co-starred in the classic sixties television series, "Route 66" will serve as the parade Grand Marshal. Milner will lead a cavalcade of more than 100 vintage cars, bands, marching groups, and equestrian units along a one mile stretch of Duarte's historic Route 66, Huntington Drive., in tribute to the 75th anniversary of the nation's most legendary highway.
Route 66 was the first highway to directly link Chicago to Los Angeles. It opened the west and California to millions of Americans--from Dust Bowl migrants in the 1930s to returning WW II vets and their families looking for new opportunities in the '40s and '50s.
The parade steps off at 9 a.m. at the corner of Huntington Dr. and Cotter St., two blocks east of Buena Vista St. It will proceed east along the north side of Huntington Dr. to Mt. Olive Dr.
More than 1200 participants are expected to take part in this year's parade, including hundreds of children representing Duarte's schools and youth groups. Many civic and community clubs and organizations and dignitaries will also participate.
Another 5,000 people are expected to come out to enjoy the annual hometown celebrations that is also the only annual Route 66 parade in the country.
There will plenty to enjoy. More than 60 antique and vintage vehicles will be on parade. Participants come from all over Southern California to join in Duarte's salute to Route 66 and show off an array of classics that include everything form Model T's to muscle cars.
But not all the horsepower will be motorized. Equestrian participants will include Tournament of Roses veteran Jann of Sweden riding his prize-winning Missouri Foxtrotter. Long Ears and Spotted Ears will also make an appearances along with the El Monte Mounted Police, the Wells Fargo Wagon and others.
The Martin Luther King High School Majestic Corps form Riverside is one of a number of marching bands that will keep the crowd lively. Also performing will be marching bands from Norwalk High School, Duarte High School and Monrovia High School. Other groups to bring music to the parade route include the popular Snotty Scotty and the Hankies and Central Station.
Shriner Clowns in mini cars will spread good humor along Duarte's Route 66 while a large contingent of HOGSs, representing the San Gabriel Valley Harley Owner's Group, will reprise their annual ride revving up the crowd at the start of the parade.
Immediately following the parade, everyone is invited to attend the City picnic and Route 66 Vintage Car Show at Royal Oaks Park. "Neighborhood of Cultures" is the theme of the picnic, celebrating the rich diversity of Duarte's community.
The picnic will feature a live band, carnival, crafts, international food and game booths, as well as Route 66 historical displays and souvenirs. Martin Milner will sign autographs for fans at the Celebrity booth from 11:30 to 1:30 p.m.
Many of the cars from the parade will be on display for closer inspection and admiration at the Vinatge Car Show at Royal Oaks Park extension, while a live deejay spins the sounds of the '50s and '60s.