Bands, Bellies, Queens and Cowboys on the March in Simi : Parade: Thousands line up to see the tradition that began in the ‘30s continue with plenty of small-town spirit.

The annual Simi Valley Days Parade rolled through the city’s streets Saturday with its characteristic small-town pomp, bringing out thousands of hardy old-timers and energetic newcomers to partake in the picturesque procession.

Booming marching bands, undulating belly dancers, shuffling square dancers, teen-age beauty queens, cowboys--more than 4,000 parade participants in all--passed down Los Angeles Avenue while thousands of spectators sat curbside and cheered along friends and relatives.

A tradition that began in the 1930s, the parade and annual celebration originally were called Pioneer Days, because they involved the city’s founding families. The event, which has taken place every year since 1962, was renamed Simi Valley Days in 1985.

“I’ve seen every parade for the last 30 years, since back when it was called Pioneer Days,” said 56-year-old Dick Kranzler of Simi Valley. “Every year it gets a little bit bigger and a little more representative of the community.”

Bill Edwards, who has emceed the last 26 parades, agreed that the event continues to improve, although he misses the old equestrian entries. He imparted witticisms and good cheer as he announced all 158 participants.

“Every parade has its own personality,” said Edwards, dressed in a white western shirt, “and it all comes alive as they are marching and walking down the street.”

For Mary Rhoades, who moved to Simi Valley just four years ago, the parade tradition is just beginning. Rhoades, who is this year’s chairwoman, said she has been involved since she first came to town and saw the colorful floats pass by.

“For some reason, deep down inside I’ve always been a parade person,” Rhoades said. “To me, a hometown parade represents the spirit of a community.”

Scooting along in a 1957 T-bird, Irene Runkle-Gates, better known as Miss Simi Valley 1933, has been involved in the city’s life for most of her 85 years. She paraded Saturday along with fellow volunteers from the Simi Valley Hospital, to which she has given more than 10,000 hours of volunteer service.

“It’s a lot more comfortable now that we ride in cars instead of horses,” Runkle-Gates said. “But other than that, it’s always been the same.”

Children gawked at the Simi Valley Corvettes as they drove their shiny, well-maintained muscle-cars down Los Angeles Avenue.

“It’s kind of like lying in a traffic jam, driving so slow,” said Barbara DeMoises in her 1972 Stingray. “I’m sure some of the drivers had to restrain themselves.”

Five adults and children from the Simi Valley Boy Scouts sat in a rickety seven-foot boat, named “The Stinking Carcass,” for the length of the parade. At least it had padded seats, they all agreed.

Ricky Morr, a rookie Scout, was lucky enough to sit on the trailer in front of the boat. Yet the 12-year-old still found something to gripe about.

“We’ve been behind these belly dancers for a while and it annoys me,” Ricky said. “We’ve been hearing their bells and music all day.”

One parade participant suffered minor injuries when he fell off a float and his foot was run over by a lightweight trailer, police said. The 7-year-old boy, whose name was not disclosed by police, was treated at Simi Valley Hospital and released.

Businesses also joined the parade, looking to publicize their wares.

“We’re trying to get the word out about our classes,” said Dale Utiger of Simi Valley’s Happy Squares square-dancing club, which has 120 members. “We need to get more people involved.”

Lugging a bass drum around his waist for Oxnard’s Hueneme High School marching band, John Berry said he felt like he was nine months pregnant.

“It feels like 90 degrees in these uniforms,” said fellow drummer Randall Laws. “I’m surprised someone hasn’t fainted.”

Due to the gallant efforts of Joe Castro and Bob Seibel, who trailed the band pushing five-gallon water jugs, the band was in playing shape.

“We’re just two water boys for Hueneme High,” said Seibel, whose daughters, Amber and Kelly, were in the school’s procession. “But we enjoy ourselves.”

At the awards ceremony after the parade, Hueneme looked refreshed, placing second to North Park High School in band and first in drill team competition in the A class. In the AA Class, Royal High won the band portion, and Camarillo High’s drill team placed first.

The mayor’s trophy went to the Corriganville Preservation Committee, a group that wants to rebuild the old Corriganville movie set and amusement park, for their wild West float that included a saloon, jail and general store.

Boy Scout Troop 633 won the chairman’s trophy; Veterans of Foreign Wars won the veterans’ prize, and the U.S. Sea Cadets won the color guard award.

“It’s wonderful,” said Edwards, at the end of another parade. “After 26 years, you get to know the people you wave to.”

Simi Valley Days ends today with a carnival and rodeo.

The carnival, at Los Angeles Avenue and Madera Road, starts at noon and runs until 10 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and children 4 to 12, and free for children under 4. A rodeo, free with carnival admission, will take place at 2 p.m.