CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCE CENTER Read More
Add To Favorites

Toledo's Veterans Parade to Mark Fifth Anniversary

Chronicle, The (Centralia, WA) - 10/23/2014

Oct. 23--Lewis County's only Veterans Day parade is quickly approaching, and organizers are asking for a bit more public involvement for it to be a banner fifth anniversary of the event.

The Toledo Veterans Day Parade will take place Saturday, Nov. 8, at noon in downtown Toledo to honor all veterans of America's armed forces, especially those locally who have served, past to present. It's free to the public, but while organizer April Pennington-Farey is asking for people to attend and pay tribute to all who have donned American military attire faithfully, she's putting out a clarion call for more parade entries.

"It's kinda hard to put something on local when people are willing to drive far away, but we'll press forward even stronger," Pennington-Farey said.

In its first years, the parade suffered from lack of attendees particularly because there's not a big budget for the event; every bit of the organizational efforts are a volunteer venture. Moving the parade to Toledo has helped, Pennington-Farey said, but she hopes to see a larger-than-ever crowd for the celebration's fifth year, which will follow the Toledo Cheese Days parade route.

"The Veterans Museum is bringing down five vehicles with people in military regalia, and we have trucks from local trucking companies that will join," Pennington-Farey said. "We had 73 entries last year and we're hoping it will be just as big this year."

While the event had been solely organized by Pennington-Farey over the past few years, she has recruited the help of two assistants who have been talking to businesses and "beating the street," as she termed it, to drum up support for the parade. But there's one sector of the population she hopes steps up and participates in the parade either as entrants or as spectators.

"I'd really like to see our youth get involved," Pennington-Farey said.

Pennington-Farey said she is encouraged by the help and participation local Boy Scouts of America troops have given, and hopes that continues this year. She's also hoping more local businesses and car clubs enter the parade, for which there's no entry fee.

"It's a great way to let the community know they're in support of the veterans," Pennington-Farey said.

The Veterans Day Parade has received two big financial boosts, with nearly $700 raised in a fundraiser event at the St. Helens Tap House last weekend. AAG Insurance came on board to help print flyers, and the Toledo Lions Club sponsored the main banner for the parade.

"They're behind us as far as getting what we need to make sure it keeps going on," Pennington-Farey said. "That's huge for me because it's been a struggle at times."

Through those struggles, Pennington-Farey feels a call to honor veterans through what has continually been the only parade in Lewis County. No matter how many people attend, the 54-year-old military supporter said she feels the need to repay a debt of gratitude to America's troops.

"It's very moving and you just feel great when you leave," Pennington-Farey said.

Christopher Brewer: (360) 807-8235

If You Go

Organizers of the Lewis County Veterans Day Parade are seeking people wishing to become entrants in the Nov. 8 parade. To get involved, contact April Pennington-Farey at 266-7237 or email aprilfarey1@gmail.com.

The parade itself will follow the Cheese Days Parade route, beginning at 5th and Augustus Street, moving on Augustus to 2nd, then turning south on 2nd to Oak, then west on Oak Street back to 5th. It's free for all to attend.

Other events associated with the parade include the coronation of Miss Liberty, to take place the night beforehand, and a presentation by the Winlock American Legion at the Veterans Wall of Honor at Toledo City Park after the parade.

___

(c)2014 The Chronicle (Centralia, Wash.)

Visit The Chronicle (Centralia, Wash.) at www.chronline.com

Distributed by MCT Information Services