Patriots’ Day Parade Saturday to Feature 100 Entries

Dozens of Dalmatians and the city’s retiring police chief will be among the stars of the 31st annual Laguna Beach Patriots’ Day Parade, which will proceed through downtown on Saturday under the banner “America’s Peacemaker.”

The parade, which will begin at 11 a.m. and last about two hours, will feature more than 100 entries, including bands, equestrians, antique autos and floats. The parade will also feature about 50 Dalmatians marching with firetrucks.

The camel that was the surprise of last year’s parade won’t give an encore, said Barbara Witkow, president of the Patriots Day Parade Assn.

“The camel is not coming this year,” she said, “but we are still having JJ and the Habibi’s, who are the belly dancers and drummers.”

The parade will start at Laguna Beach High School and wind 1.2 miles through town to end at City Hall. Most streets in the central business district will be closed to motorists from about 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Police Chief Neil Purcell, who is retiring Sunday, will be the grand marshal. Barbara Stuart, a former dancer with Ballet Pacifica, is being honored as Citizen of the Year for her many years of volunteer work and philanthropy.

Others being honored are Patriot of the Year Esther M. Gaffney, a retired Marine Corps captain who served in World War II; and Junior Citizens of the Year Vanessa Blau and Justin Berti, both students at Laguna Beach High School.