DIXON, CA (MPG) - Dust of those folding camp chairs, the Parade is back! After a two-year hiatus due to COVID, the Chamber is revving up its plans for a ‘Super Fun’ Dixon May Fair Parade. It will return on Saturday, May 7, and is now in its 145th year of donations.

“The Parade is an important part of Dixon’s history and cultural heritage,” said Shauna Manina, CEO of the Dixon Chamber of Commerce. “It is the oldest state-affiliated parade in California and is one of the most colorful of its kind.”

In years past, the parade drew as many as 10,000 spectators to the downtown streets with more than a hundred businesses and organizations participating with a float or display. From decorated horses to souped up vehicles, from military units to school drill teams, and from garbage-can-toting muscle men to Shriner speed demons on go-karts, the parade brings smiles for miles.

Dixon High School band is always a popular musical entry and Dixon Dance Studio and Ramtown Karate are known for their demonstrations. The parade symbolizes all that is great about the Dixon community and should be just as exciting this year despite the COVID intermission according to Manina who is fielding dozens of emails of entries already.

It is one of the rare times Highway 113 (North and South First Street) is closed by Cal-Trans and the side streets are blocked off for visitors and parade line up and disbursements. Thru traffic is usually re-routed onto Adams Street and Porter Road at the Viva Market Shopping Center road split.

The morning of the parade, there is traditionally a Rotary Club pancake breakfast offered at Ye ‘Olde Vet’s Hall across from the Dixon Public Library and a great way to fill up before parade line up or sitting down for the often 2-hour long event.

Applications for the parade are now available online at the Dixon Chamber website, dixonchamber.org, where the packet and application can be downloaded, or by sending an email to [email protected] and requesting that a packet and application be emailed to you. You can also come by the office at 220 North Jefferson Street in Dixon between 8 am and 4 pm Monday through Thursday.

Please note that parade information will not be mailed out this year. For further information please call (707) 678-2650.