Poway Parade Puts Community Volunteerism at Center Stage Sept. 12

Poway Parade Puts Community Volunteerism at Center Stage Sept. 12

Behind the marching bands and floats at this year's Poway Rotary Parade is a larger community story: who are the people doing the volunteer work that keeps local organizations functioning?

“Spirit of Volunteers” is the theme of the 61st annual Poway Rotary Parade, beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, September 12.

Organizers chose the theme to recognize the unusually large number of nonprofit, service and community organizations whose members volunteer their time in Poway and surrounding communities.

Grand Marshal John Couvrette, co-chair of the Poway Community Foundation and a longtime community volunteer, is incorporating that message into the parade itself. Working with EDCO, Couvrette is creating a 30-foot flatbed float dedicated to local nonprofit organizations, with volunteers invited to participate together.

More than 75 parade entries are expected, representing schools, service clubs, community organizations, businesses and other groups.

Among them are the Rotary Club of Poway-Scripps, Poway Unified School District, Poway Chamber of Commerce, Villa de Vida, Poway Library, Soroptimists International of Poway, Poway Adult School, Poway 4-H and the Poway Lions Club.

The parade also includes marching bands, dancers, equestrians, vintage tractors and other traditional parade entries.

WHEN: Saturday, September 12 at 9 a.m.

WHERE: Poway Road, Pomerado Road east to Bowron Road

THEME: “Spirit of Volunteers”

The event could provide an opportunity not only to cover a 61-year community tradition but to talk with the people who continue to sustain local nonprofit organizations through volunteer service.

Parade information/contact: mypowayparade@gmail.com/ Lauren Garces 619.828.3101