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78 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, April 29, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend April 11, 2004 Allen Broud, community development manager for the American Cancer Society, clowns around in the Relay for Life entry in the Pear Blossom Parade Saturday. It was one of 145 entries for the 51st annual festival. Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Pear Blossom Festival a hit, under sunny skies Thousands line Medford streets to soak up a great parade By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune For Ryan Peterson, this year’s Pear Blossom Festival was different. "I’m normally running in it," said the 17-year-old, who was sidelined by foot surgery and couldn’t enter the annual Pear Blossom Run. Instead, he watched the two-and-a-half-hour parade afterward from his tandem camp chair. The South Medford High School junior was joined by thousands of others lining Central Avenue and Main Street to watch 145 parade entries dance, march, trot and motor through the 51st annual Pear Blossom Parade. Advertisement "My favorite part is the princesses and the queens," said 10-year-old Stefani Hernandez of Medford. "I like the marching bands, too." Among the real crowd- pleasers was the Central Point Teen Actors’ Scooby Doo and Friends float, with the Scooby Doo characters dancing to the theme song. There was steady applause for the Young Marines of Southern Oregon dressed in fatigues, as well as the Hillah Shriners zooming in formation in their go- carts. The biggest cheers erupted for the people with pooper scoopers following behind the horses. Fabulous Francisco, the trained horse from Cave Junction who has been featured on the Animal Planet channel, fetched a stuffed toy and tossed it in the air before bowing for the judges. Young boys ran out to shake hands with storm troopers from the Star Wars Costume Club, and children waved enthusiastically at people dressed in bear or dog costumes. Allen Broud, the community development manager for the American Cancer Society Medford office, shed his professional demeanor for a day to sport clown makeup and hand out purple and white balloons. And there were canines galore, both in the parade and accompanying spectators. Michelle Monk, who lives a block away from the parade route, said she brought her two miniature Chihuahuas, Belle and Bosten, so they could see what all the fuss was about. "She is a little afraid of the drums," she said, holding trembling Belle close. "He (Bosten) is curious." She said she didn’t know whether she’d stay for the whole parade. "It depends on her," she said. "I’ll probably stay a little while." As always, the crowd jumped up to catch candy whenever it was tossed from floats. With the day being unseasonably warm and sunny, there was an additional favorite treat. "I really liked when the water bottles came out," said Cassidy Woodard, 6, of Medford. The best of the best Here are the winners for the 51st Pear Blossom Festival parade. The 145 entries were judged by Rogue Valley business people and radio talk show hosts Garth and Rosemary Harrington. FLOATS First place — Blackbird/Dell’s Hamburgers. Second place — The River First Baptist Church. Third Place — Salvation Army. SCHOOL Cascade Christian High School. YOUTH (WALKING) First place — Rogue Valley School of Gymnastics and TNT Cheer. Second place — Youth Marines of Southern Oregon. Third place — Girl Scouts of Winema Council. ADULT (WALKING) First place — Fighting 501 ST Star Wars Costume Club. Second place — Be a Fit Kid. Third place — Hula Hoop Girls. EQUESTRIAN First place — Wells Fargo Bank. Second place — Jackson County 4-H Clubs. Third place — Trail Dust Saddle Club. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times