Citizens will 'Rock Around the Block' in annual parade

How will Old Time Fair parade participants interpret this year's theme of "Rock Around the Block"? Music? West Linn's famous meteorite? Rocking chairs? Legos? Who knows? However people choose to celebrate West Linn, it is sure to be a good time.

The Old Time Fair parade will be held Saturday, July 21, starting at 10 a.m. on Willamette Falls Drive in historic Willamette area of West Linn.

Each February, the parade committee gets together to brainstorm a theme for the parade. The only requirements are that the theme be fun, easy and engaging, according to parade organizer Jill Briney.

"We want our participants to be able to have fun with it and have lots of choices with their entry ideas," Briney said. "There are lots of jokes and laughter as we come up with fun, sometimes crazy ideas."

Parade participants are then encouraged to incorporate the theme into their costumes and floats.

"We thought this would be a fun theme and easy to come up with ideas for entries. People can tie in music, block parties, building blocks, neighborhoods — actually, anything goes," Briney said. "There is always something new, but we never know what to expect."

Leading this year's parade will be former West Linn mayor and community volunteer Larry McIntyre.

"He has definitely been 'Around the Block' and has been rocking West Linn for years," Briney said.

West Linn's annual parade and fair started in 1957. It has seen a variety of changes over the years, but the heart of it remains the same — bringing the community together.

Briney and her husband, Mike, have lived in West Linn for 31 years and have been involved with the fair for 10. The Willamette Neighborhood Association took over organizing the parade in 1990 and the Brineys took the lead in 2002.

Although the theme may change every year, there are some traditions that continue, such as the appearance of fire engines and candy, lots of candy.

The West Linn Community Preschool is an annual favorite, coming up with a cute representation of the theme year after year. And, for the last few years, members of the West Linn Adult Community Center have taken to the street tongue in cheek, marching with canes, walkers and wheelchairs — even with a guy on a gurney with a toe tag reading, "not dead yet." Word has it the WLACC is going to have even more fun with the theme this year.

Briney said the West Linn Living History Tour group will have a surprise "rock" it will be marching with this year. Briney said to be sure to keep an eye out for it.

"The great thing about the parade is we never know what to expect. There are lots of regulars and then something new every year. Anyone can be involved, whether it is a kid on a bike or a huge group float or fire engine," Briney said.

Longtime resident Tom Loun will emcee the parade, announcing the entries near the beginning of the route on 13th Street. Cub Scout Pack 504 helps each year by carrying the banners announcing trophy winners in the parade, and the older Scouts act as the color guard.

Be sure to arrive at the parade early and watch the annual waiters race, a competitive relay race in which local servers carry trays of drinks as they run.

"It's always fun to watch, and it promotes our local businesses. The winning team gets a spot near the beginning of the parade, with their trophy, of course," Briney said.

She said the tradition of the parade and the Old Time Fair is a great way for the community to interact.

"Our parade is fun and still has that small-town feel — and yes, I did mention the candy thrown out to the crowd," Briney said.

To participate in the free parade, download the parade application from the city’s website — westlinnoregon.gov/oldtimefair/parade — fill it out and bring it Saturday morning between 8 and 9 a.m. to the check-in area at the front of Handris Realty Company, located at 2008 Willamette Falls Drive. For prime spots in the parade, be sure to register early.

At 9 a.m., the judging will take place, allowing participants the chance to earn trophies and ribbons for categories such as Best Float, Best Neighborhood Entry, Best Children’s Entry and Best Out of Town Entry. First-, second- and third-place ribbons will be awarded in the categories of equestrian, kids on wheels, fire trucks, auto: classic/car club/new and antique auto. Volunteers will judge the entries.

"Come and join the fun! You can register right up to the morning of the parade," Briney said.