30th Annual Patriots’ Day Parade to Roll on Saturday
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With an Academy Award nominee as grand marshal, the 30th annual Laguna Beach Patriots’ Day Parade will step off at 11 a.m. Saturday.
Producer Greg McGillivray, whose film “The Living Sea” is nominated in the short subjects category this year, will have the seat of honor, said Ann Quilter, a coordinator of the event.
Themed “America’s Volunteers,” the parade will feature bands, drill teams, community groups, antique automobiles and equestrian units.
If it is anything like those of previous years, the event will include a few surprises. Last year a group of real estate agents marched dressed as houses, Quilter said.
Vernon R. Spitaleri, 73, a retired newspaperman and business executive, will be honored as Patriot of the Year. Spitaleri, who has three Purple Heart medals, is being honored for his World War II combat service and for subsequent years of community service.
Francis L. “Doc” Blacketer, 73, also a World War II veteran, is the Citizen of the Year.
The parade will begin at Laguna Beach High School, wind through downtown and end at City Hall.
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