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By Kate Daly | Special to the Almanac
Young kids, old vehicles, horses, music and candy filled the streets at Woodside’s 94th annual May Day Parade on Saturday, May 7.
“Once upon a time in an enchanted forest,” was the theme, and magically the gray skies waited until the end to drizzle on the 30-plus groups that walked, rode and rolled from Woodside School to Roberts Market and back in less than an hour.
With Woodside Road closed in town, hundreds of spectators lined both sides of the street to watch the local pageantry sponsored by the school’s PTA.
Just two of the four planned grand marshals led the parade in a blue 1966 Lincoln Continental, the first of many older cars. School front office staffers Cathy Stienstra and Amanda Bedolla Fuerte stayed home to babysit family, but Tina Adolph and Taffy Appelbaum enjoyed waving and throwing candy to the crowd.
Many students held bags at the ready, collecting candy faster than on Halloween night.
Donkeys dressed as unicorns and a miniature horse led the four-legged participants, including a costumed horse aptly named Princess who spooked a little when Woodside Fire District’s 1947 engine tooted to announce the arrival of the Kindergarten Royal Court.
Marching bands from Woodside and Los Trancos Woods played their way down the parade route, but most other participants rode in floats.
The last one was a whimsically painted truck promoting the eighth-grade operetta, “Seussical Jr.,” coming up June 1 to 4.
After the parade most people headed to the outdoor amphitheater for the presentation of the Woodside Citizen of the Year Award. School parent Lisa Putnam won, and was honored for all her hard work on the school garden and PTA’s Green Committee.
Third-graders departed from tradition by performing a kung fu dance number inspired by a classmate before doing their usual sword and maypole dance.
The day continued with a carnival put on by Sophie’s Stress Free Soirees and a barbecue by Alice’s Restaurant.
The Almanac never mentions the Woodside Recreation Fun Run that actually kicks off the entire day. Many Woodside families participate in this great event which is organized entirely by the Woodside Recreation Committee (all Volunteers. It really is a FUN run and has been around a long time.