After fundraising 5K run, hundreds line Bell Street to see 26 floats, dancing horses, marching bands, and more

The quiet little town of Los Alamos came alive during its annual Old Days celebration, Sept. 27-29. Saturday saw crowds of people viewing the annual car show and shoppers gearing up for the holidays purchasing gifts from the vendors. But Sunday held the most fun when the “Biggest Little Small-town Parade” weaved its way through town.

On Sunday at 9 a.m., a 5K run sponsored by CalSwoosh began with many runners participating in the event. The run/walk is a fundraiser for the nonprofit sports club part of CalSwoosh, which uses the proceeds to help underprivileged kids play sports. Trophies were awarded to the first overall male and female finishers. Medals were awarded to the top three finishers in seven divisions. 

Following the 5K run, hundreds of people began to gather along the streets of Los Alamos, awaiting the arrival of the parade, which featured dancing horses, fun floats, beautifully costumed dancers, and marching bands. 

Seeing the parade approaching, singer and songwriter Larry Barbro, owner of HotSpot Local, began to perform the national anthem while everyone stood silently with hands over their hearts. 

The theme of this year’s parade was “Past Meets Present” with 26 float entries participating.

James H. Bray (Jim) was the parade’s announcer. Bray is an extremely active member of the community with affiliations too numerous to mention. In 2023, he was honored as Citizen of the Year by the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce for his many contributions to the community. He is also a member of the Santa Maria Breakfast Rotary. Awaiting the parade Bray told various anecdotes about the history and trivia of Los Alamos. 

This year’s parade Grand Marshals were Dan and Charlene Chabot. The Chabots moved their family to Los Alamos in 1973, just a few years after Dan graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Dan initially worked for a couple of thelarge defense contractors in Santa Barbara. In 1983, he joined MariPro (marine professionals). MariPro designs,manufactures, and installs shallow and deep-water ocean systems for the U.S. Navy, foreign navies, and commercial clients at unique locations all over the world. Dan retired from L-3 Communications/MariPro in 2019 after over 10years as the vice president/general manager of the MariPro Division. Quickly after moving to Los Alamos, Dan became involved in the community. He was on the Los Alamos Olga Reed school board for over nine years, eight years as the president. Dan also joined the Los Alamos Valley Men’s Club and served a couple of terms as a director. Presently, Dan is on the Board of Directors for the San Antonio Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency. In addition, Dan is currently the president of the Santa Barbara County Cattlemen’s Association.

The King and Monighetti families led the parade, carrying the U.S. flag, which has been their tradition since 1966. They were followed by four members of the Boots-n-Chutes All Airborne Association from Lompoc, members of the Santa Maria Elks Lodge 1538 Officer Wagon, Supervisor Bob Nelson driving a John Deere tractor, the Grand Marshals Dan and Charlene Chabot, 105.9 Krazy Country, members of the Garcia Dance Studio, Coastal Hay & AG, New Generation Cow Girls, and Coastal Vineyard Care Association riding in a 1949 red Ford truck. Over 50 members of theOrcutt Academy High School Band marched in unison filling the air with music. Then came the Surf Soccer Club, Element Christian Church, 1933 and 1944 John Deere tractors, and Maureen Albrecht riding a 1955 Low Boy tractor. Following the tractors were the Los Alamos Valley Men’s Club, 363 Associates, and the Juan Chavez family participating in remembrance of their father, Miguel Chavez, whose birthday fell on Sept. 28 (He died in 2022 but had enjoyed participating in the Old Days parade). They were followed by El Vogel Villanueva Zacatecas on dancing horses accompanied by a small band, the Depot Bar and the Los Alamos Gallery riding in a vintage caboose, the Klein Dance Arts team, the Gutierrez family with a beautifully dressed woman riding her horse decorated in floral garlands, Righetti FFA, members of the Olga Reed and Orcutt Academy schools, Charlie Gonzales in a 1928 Ford, with the final float from Ballet Folklorico Corazon de la Costa riding their dancing horses.    

The winners of the parade were: Best Use of Theme — Element Christian Church; Best Junior Equestrians — New Generation Cowgirls; Best Equestrian Group — Lienzo Charro, Juan Chavez; Best Military — Boots-n-Chutes; Best Community Service — Righetti FFA; Best Antique Vintage — Charlie Gonzales’ 1929 Model A Ford; Best Performing Group — Ballet Folklorico Corazon de la Costa; Best Grammar School — Olga Reed and Orcutt Academy schools; Best High School — Orcutt Academy High School; Best Tractor — Topa Topa Flywheelers; Best Float — Surf Soccer Club boys and girls.    

“This year’s weekend event was reminiscent of pre-pandemic Old Days,” Williams said. “It was such a great feeling to see the crowds back and enjoying themselves. We are very lucky to have a talented group of volunteers who make the magic happen each year.”

 
Maureen Albrecht rides her 1955 Low Boy tractor down Bell Street at the Los Alamos Old Days Parade on Sept. 29.
Members of the Garcia Dance Studio danced in their colorful costumes during the Los Alamos Old Days parade on Sept. 29.
The Gutierrez family had a beautifully dressed woman riding her horse decorated in floral garlands at the Los Alamos Old Days Parade on Sept. 29.
New Generation Cowgirls from the Central Coast participated in the Los Alamos Old Days parade, having members as young as 1 year old.
Grand Marshals of this year’s Los Alamos Old Days parade were Dan and Charlene Chabot.
Representatives of the Depot Bar and the Los Alamos Gallery rode in a vintage caboose at the Los Alamos Old Days Parade on Sept. 29.
 Orcutt Academy High School was awarded Best High School entry for the Los Alamos Old Days Parade with its 50-member marching band.

The Los Alamos Old Days Parade announcer, Jim Bray, stood beside Larry Barbro as he sang the national anthem.
Members of Element Christian Church held services in Ferrini Park and later walked in the Los Alamos Old Days Parade on Sept. 29.
The Surf Soccer Club boys and girls won the Los Alamos Old Days parade award for the Best Float, displaying a huge net and soccer ball.
Four members of the Boots-n-Chutes All Airborne Association from Lompoc were awarded the Best Military award at the Los Alamos Old Days Parade on Sept. 29.

Photos by Devyn Marseilles

Feature image: Members of the Santa Maria Elks Lodge 1538 ride in their Officer Wagon pulled by two horses at the Los Alamos Old Days Parade on Sept. 29.