Graduation Day may be May 31 for Healdsburg High School students, but for many of our town’s young adults the big event is coming right up this weekend.
The 64th Annual Healdsburg Future Farmers Country Fair and Twilight Parade – a name that doesn’t do the event full justice – begins Thursday evening with a cross-town parade that seems to last just a little bit longer every year.
Prancing flag horses, local notables in convertibles, school bands, flatbeds, costumed dancers, tricycle cavalries (and at least one unicycle), caballeros and oaxaqueños, fire trucks, fire trucks, fire trucks – it has to be seen to be believed, and you have to see it to understand Healdsburg.
The parade participants gather at Matheson and East St. from 5 o’clock on, and the parade begins exactly at Sixish. The route goes down Matheson to Center, north (right) to Piper, east (right) to Fitch, then south (right again) back to Matheson. From there it heads east (left!) to University, where it either ends or turns north (left again!) to Rec Park.
If you’re at a loss without a playbook, the theme this year is Blue Jeans to Country Dreams, and the parade is just the first act. The Healdsburg Future Farmers Country Fair runs Thursday through Saturday, and the sheep, swine, goats and beef compete for ribbons and a steep sale price through the fair's closing after the livestock auction Saturday night. Admission is free.
There are petting zoos, animal showmanship, a horse show and more. The Swan Bros. Circus returns for shows daily featuring juggling, magic and acrobatics, plus other kids’ activities, even a mini-midway with food booths and games.
More information at healdsburgfair.org can only whet your appetite further. As we say in Healdsburg, See you at the parade!
