Marching Orders

Those scorching summer days seemed long gone Saturday when residents lined Los Angeles Avenue to celebrate Simi Valley Days with a grand parade.

It was a parade with all the fixings--marching bands, politicians and dance troupes.

“The weather’s just great,” said Frank Palermo, who has lived in the city for 25 years. “This is the first time I’ve attended in years, and it’s just great.”

The two-hour parade, held under sunny skies with temperatures in the mid-80s, is a main event for the city’s annual celebration of itself.

“I come every single year,” said Dee Ortega, a 21-year resident. “It’s like small towns 100 years ago. It’s exciting because we’re just a tiny community.”

From young Scouts to senior dancers, it seemed as if all parts of the city were represented.

Grooving to music by teen-idol band Hanson, girls from Simi Repertoire performed a dance routine to the group’s hit “MMM Bop.” Other dance troupes jammed to old favorites like “YMCA” and “Greased Lightning,” with spectators dancing, clapping and singing along.

For country music fans, the local square-dance group Boots and Slippers put on a moving show, with plenty of curtsies and do-si-dos.

Any respectable parade is sure to include marching bands, and Saturday’s didn’t come up short. Clad in sparkling uniforms, local high school bands, including those from Simi Valley, Royal and Camarillo, played loud and proud.

“You can’t have a parade without a band,” said Brent Edwards, who sat in a plastic lawn chair with his 9-year-old daughter, Dara.

“It still feels kind of down home,” Edwards said.

Twenty-eight-year Simi Valley resident Bob Reinoehl agreed, saying the parade made him feel closer to the community. But that wasn’t the only reason he and his wife, Fredna, found a place to sit on Los Angeles Avenue early Saturday.

“All our kids grew up and moved away and we’re here to see all the [younger] kids,” Bob said, reminiscing about the days when he and Fredna would watch their own brood march.

“They were always in the parade,” Fredna said.

Linda Dishman felt a sense of nostalgia, too.

“It just kind of brings back memories,” Dishman said, sitting on the pavement with her daughter and two grandchildren.

For the youngsters, the parade had nothing to do with remembering yesteryear and everything to do with fun.

“I like it all,” said Ashley Paradiso of Westchester.

When the parade ended, many people headed to 1st Street, where the festival’s carnival was in full swing. Cotton candy and ride tickets were in demand as families packed in for a day of eating, rides and playing games.

Tonya Thomas brought husband Jim and their three kids. As the Simi Valley family took a break from the rides, Thomas explained that she makes a point to attend every year.

“It’s something to do with the kids that’s better than going to the movies,” she said. “It’s just fun. It’s a getaway day.”

Simi Valley Days ends today, with the carnival open from noon to 10 p.m. Sunny, slightly cooler weather is expected. Parking is free. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children. For more information, call 581-4280.