'Let the Good Times Roll' for the 2013 Memorial Day Parade

Every October, hundreds of Mill Valley students walk, bike, and skateboard to classes for the annual Walk and Roll to School Day. In May, thousands of people will march down the street for the same cause.

The theme of this year’s 2013 Memorial Day Parade is “Let The Good Times Roll” in honor of Safe Routes to School – a national program that was pioneered about 14 years ago here in Marin. Designed to decrease traffic and pollution and increase children’s’ health by promoting walking and biking to school, the initiative has taken off in Mill Valley.

“The enthusiasm has really grown over the years,” said Mill Valley Councilmember Stephanie Moulton-Peters, who serves as the chairperson for the Safe Routes to Schools Task Force.

Between the Mill Valley General Plan update, improvements to East Blithdale and plans to overhaul Miller Ave., bike and pedestrian access has also been front and center on many people’s minds this year. 

“The themes are always very relevant to what’s happening around town,” said Larry “the Hat” Lautzker, owner of Famous 4 in downtown and “head honcho” of the I Love a Parade Committee that puts on the event each year. “We really want the themes to reflect our quality of life, and make a difference.

The average person in Mill Valley makes 11 trips per day in their car – with the national average being six trips a day. School related traffic also accounts for at least 25 percent of morning traffic, when the average student lives only half a mile from their school.

"No wonder we have traffic!" Lautzker said. "So, we need to get more people out of their cars more often and onto their feet and bicycles."he said.

He's expecting to see a lot of bikes along the route, as well as alternative energy vehicles. Moulton-Peters also suggested people get creative and design their own modes of transportation.

The Memorial Day Parade draws more than 6,000 spectators each year, and includes more than 60 participants. Applications to enter are now available online, and must be received by May 23. Entry fees are $75 for commercial entities and $35 for nonprofits.

“It’s the biggest party of the year!” Lautzker said.

As usual, the signature event is set to start at 10:30 a.m. at Old Mill School, and will wind along a 1.6-mile route, passing in front of a judges’ booth across from Depot Plaza and heading down Miller to Tam High. Awards are handed out for best float, best musical entry, top novelty/comedy entry, best dog and best car.

Of course, the annual Pancake Breakfast, which benefits the Mill Valley Volunteer Firefighters Association, will once again serves as the unofficial kick-off. The event starts at 7 a.m. on traffic-free Corte Madera Ave. in front of City Hall, where between 1,800 - 2,000 breakfasts of pancakes, eggs, juice and coffee will be served up outside the fire station. The breakfast runs until 11 a.m. but tends to wind down early as people head over to watch the parade.

Here's what else is happening on Mill Valley Patch:

• Police Blotter: Stolen Car, Victoria's Secret Shenanigans and More Pricey Bike Thefts
• Tam High Freshman Wins National Honor in Scholastic Writing Contest
• Construction to Start on East Blithedale This Summer
• Judge Denies Max Wade’s Request to Relocate Trial, Sever Lambo Theft and Attempted Murder Charges
• CaffeOggi Closes After 23 Years in Mill Valley – Smash Burger to Open There
• New Tam High Principal to Start on July 1
• VIDEO: From the Marin Coast to the Bay Lights, Take an Ultra-HD Ride Above the Bay Area

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