Youth Day Parade features dozens of enchanted floats Saturday
Published 11:08 am Monday, September 25, 2017
(Leader photo/KELSEY HAMMON)
(Leader photo/KELSEY HAMMON)
(Leader photo/KELSEY HAMMON)
(Leader photo/KELSEY HAMMON)
(Leader photo/KELSEY HAMMON)
(Leader photo/KELSEY HAMMON)
(Leader photo/KELSEY HAMMON)
Minutes before the Youth Day Parade, dozens set up chairs along 17th to watch the traditional procession Saturday afternoon.
The parade began at East Side Park and featured a variety of floats that paid homage to the 45th annual Apple Festival theme: “45 years of enchantment.”
This year’s Apple Festival royalty waved from a float complete with a castle and dragon. There were also a number of youth dressed as princesses glimpsed by parade goers.
In addition, those who attended could spot a number of fire trucks and police cars, as well as a marching band.
The parade is a Youth Day tradition, which invites children to participate in the procession. During Youth Day, those who attend can also enjoy free activities, games and food at the Apple Festival grounds, 1740 Lake St.. The event is hosted by the Four Flags Area Apple Festival Board every year the weekend before the Apple Festival begins.
With temperatures in the 90s, many parade goers sought a shady spot along the street to watch the parade.
Among them were Ben and Anna Hollingsworth, of Niles. The family further combatted the heat by sipping Slurpees.
Ben said this was the family’s first viewing of the Youth Day Parade, and that they attended to support their son, Jacob, 13, who was playing in the marching band.
The family, which included their children, Ella, 5, Hannah, 12 and a neighbor, Emily Goodman, 12, waited on the corner of Eagle and 17th streets for the parade to begin.
When asked what they were looking forward to, Ben said a change of weather.
“I am looking forward to seeing the snow,” he joked.
After the parade, the family said they would be attending Youth Day for the first time.
As the police sirens sounded signaling the start of the parade, the family was ready.
“Here they come,” Ben said.
For others lining the street, gathering to watch the parade was a tradition.
Brittany Bradshaw, of South Bend, and her step-daughter, Peyton Mallo, of Niles, have attended the Youth Day Parade for the last 11 years. Mallo is an Eastside Connection’s student who usually walks in the parade. Bradshaw said the family was looking forward to the Apple Festival and riding the rides, eating the food and exploring the craft booths.
Down the block, Jennifer Riggenbach also watched the parade with her family.
Riggenbach said she was there to see her daughter, Carsyn Franz, ride the Apple Festival Royalty float.
Franz was selected as Junior Apple Festival queen last weekend during the scholarship pageant and was fulfilling her duties taking part in the parade.
“We just like to see all the little kids smiling and having a good time,” Riggenbach said.
