The Auburn Parks, Arts and Recreation Department has announced the winners of the 46th annual Veterans Day Parade on Saturday.
The parade drew an estimated 3,000 people who lined the mile-long route, waving American flags, saluting and shouting “thank you” to honor veterans.
With close to 200 entries – 26 of them being high school marching bands, it was increasingly difficult to determine the winner in each category, City officials said. A panel of three judges sat at the reviewing stand and took on the complex task of deciding the winners.
There are six award categories, with the most prestigious award being the General’s Award – Best in parade. This year’s winners are as follows:
General’s Award – Best in Parade: Brothers In Arms Motorcycle Club
Admiral’s Award – Best Military Entry: Graham-Kapowsin High School Army Junior ROTC
Memorial Award to Harold Page – Best Veteran Service Organization Entry: Military Order of the Purple Heart
Colonel’s Award – Best Motorized Entry: Puget Sound Military Vehicle Collectors Club
Veteran’s Award – Best Non-Motorized Entry: Rogers High School Army Junior ROTC Color Guard
Mayor’s Award – Best Musical or Drill Entry: North Kitsap Viking Marching Band
The City of Auburn would also like to congratulate the winners of the Curb Competition. The Curb Competition was created in 2010 as a way for groups/organizations who do not fit the parade criteria, to still participate in the event and honor our veterans.
Award winners are as follows:
Best Curb Appeal: Price Helton Funeral Home
Most Patriotic: Valley Christian School
Best Salute to Veterans: Auburn Dance Academy
The parade is the focal point of numerous veteran-related events that take place in Auburn. Military and veteran units, military vehicles and equipment, marching bands, antique cars and community groups all took part in this year’s parade.
Past Auburn Idol winner, Dayla Walker, belted out “The Star Spangled Banner” to mark the beginning of the parade, which coincided with a C-17 Globetrotter III flyover (Rachel Ciampi photo, below).
The 2012 event is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 10.
For additional details and event information, visit www.auburnwa.gov or call 253-931-3043.
