SDORC ENTRY LAKESIDE "WESTERN DAYS" PARADE

On Saturday, April 17th, the San Diego Off-Road Coalition impressed the Community of Lakeside with its entry in the Lakeside "Western Days Parade." Approximately fifty Coalition members participated in this event. The title of the SDORC entry was "Riding Together Into The Millennium." The entry included eight beautiful horses, six tricked-out custom sand rail dune buggies, six dirt bike motorcycles, six off-road ATV's, a pair of brand new Polaris Quad's, six mountain and BMX bicycles, an off-road ready jeep, a modified VW bug stake-bed truck, and a lively band composed of off-road volunteers.

The SDORC parade entry led off with the jeep paced by horses and riders on each side. Curtis Itogawa, Superintendent of the Ocotillo Wells State Vehicle Recreation Area, and his baby girl, waved to the crowd from the jeep. Six of the horses were matching Palominos adorned with tack covered with sterling silver. Two horses were magnificent Percheron draft horses. The sand rails were propelled by souped-up VW engines and powerful V8's. Buggies built by local companies including Scorpion and Chenowth displayed their handiwork. One 7-seater sand rail included a custom seat occupied by the owner/builder's thirteen year old daughter who is handicapped by the terrible disease cerebral palsy. Her dad says that riding in the rail is one of his daughter's favorite activities. Riding shotgun in another rail was a cute little dog sporting goggles and a baseball cap. The off-roader that owns the canine entertainer lightens up other lives by displaying his talented dog at local hospitals.

In addition to the shiny new Polaris Quads provided by Motorsports Warehouse, there were all types of personal ATV's, bicycles, and motorcycles mixed into the SDORC entry. The dirt bike riders entertained the crowd by zig-zagging in and out of the horses and vehicles, occasionally popping wheelies at the request of the kids in the crowd. And the band played on!!! The off-roader foursome who call themselves "Crazy Neighbors" played great upbeat music along the entire parade route. The back of the VW Stake bed truck that towed the band trailer was filled with kids jumping to the music astride their beginner off-road vehicles. Add to this lots of American flags, lots of SDORC T-shirts, and lots of off-roader smiles and you have the SDORC idea of a good time! The SDORC members in the parade were heard to comment that they had more fun than the parade watchers. A great barbecue/pool party was provided immediately following the parade for all SDORC participants and friends.

Most important was the San Diego Off-Road Coalition's two-sided message to the community. First of all, it should be clear that most of the people who enjoy the sport of off-roading are family members. Toddlers to grandparents participate in this sport "together." No other sport has teenagers and young adults waiting so eagerly to spend their weekends and vacations with their families. Secondly, off-roaders comprise a wide range of public land users including equestrians, mountain bikers, backpackers, and day hikers. If we are to keep public lands open for use by the "public," it is imperative that we work together to accomplish that objective. Otherwise, our grandchildren and their grandchildren will not have open space opportunities available to them.

In the pictures below you will see (from top to bottom), the SDORC parade participants gathering for information in SDORC's designated staging area, different shots of the lineup as everyone gets organized, and then finally the SDORC entry hits the parade route.

Last Updated April 22, 1999