Colusa streets were lined with people on Friday for the ” Barn in the USA” Lions Club parade.
Although the 2021 Colusa County Fair was canceled, the community found the traditional Friday night parade back to some semblance of normal.
After 15 months in coronavirus lockdown, Fridays parade was the first large gathering held in Colusa, now that the state has eased restrictions that allow local jurisdictions to resume normal activities.
” Im excited to see recreation programs starting up again in the city and all the special events to draw people to Colusa,” said Grand Marshal Patty Hickel.
Fire truck sirens blared as the parade moved down Market Street, before wrapping around Memorial Park and dispersing. A color guard composed of members from the Colusa VFW Post No. 2441 and Maxwell American Legion Post No. 218 led a parade of floats, decorated vehicles, equestrians, ATVs, and antique and classic cars.
Hickel was escorted through the parade in a convertible.
Hickel is the daughter of the late Jim Hickel and Alma Hickel. She was born and raised in Colusa and participated in Colusa Swim Team and youth bowling. She was a member of Colusa Westside 4-H and was a 4-H All-Star.
For many years, Hickel played on the Crystal Dairy Women’s softball team, which dominated the sport in the 1970s and 1980s, and was inducted into the Colusa County Sports Hall of Fame in 2018.
Hickel worked for the City of Colusa for 38 years, serving as Colusa Recreation Department Supervisor, Parks and Community Services Director, Public Works Administration, and Interim City Manager.
As Parks and Community Services Director, Hickel started the citys Concerts in the Park program and the Senior Citizen Luncheon at the Colusa County Fair. She also started Old Tyme Christmas with Sue Gibbs. All three events continue today.
Now retired, Hickel serves on the Sacramento River Fire Protection District Board of Directors. She is a charter member of the Colusa County Fair Foundation, and just recently stepped down from the Board of Directors.
Popular floats in the parade included the Colusa Swim Team, whose members engaged in an epic water fight with Colusa RedHawks, before they all turned their water devices onto parade goers.
Children also squealed in delight as they ran to pick up candy that was tossed from about 60 parade entrees. Ï…