The 64th annual Santa Maria Elks Rodeo Parade displayed an array of stars and stripes for more than a dozen blocks along Broadway where thousands gathered to give “A Salute to Our Heroes” Saturday morning.

Fewer than last year but no less elaborate, 167 floats, marchers and horseback riders charmed crowds with their costumes, music and thematic interpretations of who the real heroes are.

“We went as farmers because to us farmers are heroes for food,” said Yvonne Bailey, 60, of Lompoc.

Bailey and her husband Dennis Bailey represented the “Hole in the Wall-Et Ranch.” The entry with its two miniature donkeys, Lee and Jim, drew the attention of a lot of children.

“People just love them,” Dennis said of the 3-foot tall donkeys, each docile and manicured for presentation.

“The donkeys have probably done 200 parades,” he added.

Other participants included St. Joseph High School graduate A.J. Tabaldo, who appeared on the “American Idol” reality TV show; Santa Maria attorney Michael Clayton and his pirate ship float; and the Compton Sounders drill team.

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Parade chairman Bobby Acquistapace speculated why there may have been fewer entries this year. Typically, the parade draws 200 entries.

“Maybe it's because of high gas prices, but that's my guess,” he said.

Despite the fewer entries, the parade drew the same number of bands as other years, he added.

Young or old, the parade had something for everyone to cherish.

Jessica Torres, 28, of Santa Maria said her kids were delighted to see the animals including the horses, mules and donkeys. The parade sparked some old memories.

“This reminds me of my childhood and all the nice things a fair has including cotton candy, popcorn, clowns and the animals,” Torres said.

For those who have enjoyed the parade for years, much like Joanne Clarence, one never forgets the tradition.

“How could I forget the Shriners and the color guard?” said the 58-year-old who now lives in Thousand Oaks after spending part of her youth in Santa Maria. “It's one of those few memories that can last a lifetime.”

Acquistapace says that the life of the parade is the community cheering from the sidelines. And at the heart of the parade are the volunteers who glue the event together.

At this parade, everyone saluted their heroes - teachers, police officers, military veterans or even parents.

For Tony Cervantes, 33, of Guadalupe his salute goes to those who do ordinary things every day.

“My heroes are those who work every day to make this place into what it is,” he explained. That's including “everyone from troops in Iraq to the local farmworkers.”

Luis Ernesto Gomez can be reached at 739-2218, or lgomez@santamariatimes.com

June 3, 2007