North Lake Tahoe SnowFest Parade February 28, 2009
North Lake Tahoe’s SnowFest is a 10 day event that consists of approximately 100 events throughout the North Lake Tahoe area including a torchlight parade, laser show and fireworks, parades, pancake breakfasts, concerts, bar parties, ski races, dog and pet events, an ice-cream eating contest, a luau, Mardi Gras party, ice carving, a polar bear swim and much more. It is truly an opportunity to go out and play with friends, neighbors and visitors.
Flotilla 11-01 and the Coast Guard are regular participants of the Snowfest Parade, one of the opening events of the celebration. This year was no exception. We had our largest turnout of Auxiliarists and Coast Guard participants ever. Senior Chief Daniel Bennett was the driver of the tow vehicle of the Coast Guard Safe Boat. Senior Bennett’s wife Angie and two daughters, Stephanie and Holly, rode in the Safe Boat along with BM3 Madison Gallentine, BM2 James Macri, retired Auxiliarist Robyn Genest and the Station mascot dog, Lady Bird. Flotilla 11-01 members who participated were Bruce McIntyre FC, Tom Henderson VFC, Ed Leckey FSO-NS, Jack Leth SO/FSO-OP/IS, Ray Wisse SO/FSO-MA, Pat Walter FSO-SR, Bill Leoppard and Dee Dee Kincade DCDR.
Auxiliarists walk along the parade route handing out boating safety materials to the over 5,000 parade watchers. The “Coasties” riding in the Safe Boat threw Mardi Gras beads and candy to the crowd. The response from the crowd for the local Coast Guard and Auxiliary unit is incredibly supportive. Each year we double our inventory of handouts to pass among the crowd and each year we come up short about midway along the parade route. It is a wonderful event to “Show the Colors” to the local community.
