04/11/2026
Do you remember the Lemon Grove Parades?
According to Helen Ofield, past president of the Lemon Grove Historical Society, “Lemon Grove was a different place in 1950. No excuse too flimsy for a public party. Awash in civic-minded local businesses riding the post WW II economic boom. Bursting with busy club activity. And, at the heart of the festivities, was the twin dynamo of the school district and the Broadway business district. For these two, it was all about kids and families.”
“The 1950 “Big Parade” came at you in four sections: Parade marshals on golden palominos ("just like Roy Rogers"), dignitaries on horse-drawn wagons, the Color Guard of the Deputy Sheriff, the Marine Corps Band, and Parade Queen Jackie Walters with maid of honor Patty Martin (garbed in party dresses donated by local specialty shops), followed by the school band and majorettes.”
“Then came four dozen floats interspersed with a dozen bands.”
“Then a couple dozen horse groups.”
“Then all those kids.”
According to the Lemon Grove Review, "the crowd went wild as every element passed by" and the whole parade lasted until 8:30 p.m. when street dancing began and lasted until 10:30 p.m.
We can’t bring back the parade to Lemon Grove, but you can relive the experience at the Lakeside Western Days Parade brought to you by the Lakeside Historical Society, the Lakeside Chamber of Commerce and the Lakeside Rodeo - Lakeside, CA .
