The Stumptown Daze Parade is back
Guerneville’s Stumptown Daze Parade is returning Saturday, June 8 at 11 a.m., following a Covid pandemic hiatus.
The parade’s revival is reminiscent of the first Stumptown Daze Parade in 946, when local merchants banded together to create an event that would let the outside world know the Russian River was open for a summer of fun and frolic, now that the gloom of World War II was over.
Kicking off the festivities for 2024 will be a legion of Cazadero firefighting heroes, who will act as grand marshals. They are the guys who jumped onto their dozers during the Walbridge Fire in 2020, cleared brush and cut firebreaks in the woods above Cazadero, Armstrong Woods State Park, Guerneville and Rio Nido. They are known as the Caz Dozer Crew.
“Come honor the heroes who saved our towns and bask in the warmth of small town community and family,” said Valerie Hausmann, one of the parade’s main organizers.
This year’s parade will also be a memorial to historian John Schubert, who chronicled the stories of the lower Russian River communities beginning with the early logging and railroad days. His son Hilmar Schubert, and life partner Sarah Brooks will be on hand to honor him. Schubert died in 2022 and is buried in Guerneville’s hilltop cemetery.
The theme, “All Aboard for the Russian River,” will commemorate the old railroad days, when the Northwestern Pacific Railroad brought vacationers to the River. In addition, the parade committee will be presenting appreciation awards to Leslie Jo Booker and Spartacus Mitchell for their service to the community.
Last, but far from least, the Bourbon Street Brass Band will conclude the parade, with its funky New Orleans streetbeat music, accompanied by Guerneville’s own Saucy Mama, Yvette Bidegan, proprietor of Saucy Mama’s Jook Joint.
After the parade the celebration will continue with a gumbo cook off, hosted by Saucy Mama’s Jook Joint, specials at local restaurants and free gifts and discounts in the downtown shops. The cook off winner will be chosen by popular vote, so come help select the winner at Saucy Mama’s, 5 p.m., 16632 Hwy. 116, just west of town.
To enter the parade please fill out the form on the parade’s website, www.stumptownparade.org.
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