CLASSIC ENGINE
The Cottonwood Fire Protection District entered its 1931 Dodge Brothers engine. The down payment on the engine was contributed by the Ladies Garden Club in 1932. The balance was paid by fundraising dances on the old Highway 99 bridge over Cottonwood Creek.

“Legends of the West,” the theme for the 46th annual Cottonwood Rodeo Parade held Saturday, May 10, fit nicely with the South Shasta County community’s colorful history.

A crowd estimated by one parade organizer at between 1,000 and 1,500 – substantially more than last year — gathered along the parade route to watch the parade pass.

Cotton candy, ice cream, donuts and drinks were offered for sale by local businesses and organizations including Cottonwood Community Library, Cottonwood Lions and Sandy’s Bakery. Parade entries ranged from equine-related groups to school marching bands, 4-H groups to youth football and cheer programs, car enthusiasts to baton twirlers, politicians to pooper scoopers.

A color guard led the way down the parade route and hats were doffed as a show of respect. Miniature donkeys appeared dressed in all sorts of costumes including a bride and groom!

Bands from West Cottonwood Jr. High and Anderson schools made their way down the parade route blowing their horns and beating their drums. They were in great company as youngsters were also twirling batons, cheering and riding horses.

Shasta County Search and Rescue joined the procession to much applause, and the Asphalt Cowboys from Redding, with their guns a-blazin’ and smoke swirling high into the air, brought up the rear.