A mock rocket covered in flowers and bouquets adorning convertible cars traveled along H Street and Ocean Avenue on Saturday morning for the annual Lompoc Valley Flower Festival Parade.
With the sun shining as the typical June gloom stayed away, approximately 60 entries participated in the procession for the Flower Festival’s 71st edition.
This year’s theme, “Shoot for the Stars,” brought some whimsical entries with Cabrillo High School alumni replicating a first-stage booster’s landing and the city of Lompoc showing a rocket covered with flowers as three City Council members sported silver space suits.
Miramar Western Wear and Feed also featured a rocket rising from a flatbed of flowers while astronauts sat on hay bales.
The Lompoc Federal Correctional Complex entry included a mural with familiar cartoon characters decked out for space travel.
Barbara Machado Satterfield served as grand marshal of the parade, recognizing her many years in the hospitality industry and community service including raising thousands of dollars in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and working to revive and restore the historic Lompoc Theatre.
In addition to 2024 Flower Festival Queen Madison McCarley, this year’s parade included 2023 Queen Ava Nasr along with the first two queens: Donni Grossi-Silva, who was crowned in 1954, and Marianne Grossini-Decker, who wore the crown in 1955.
Dancers, gymnasts, musicians and equestrians also rounded out the participants traveling the route before the parade ended at Ryon Memorial Park.
Parade award winners were announced later Saturday in the park.
The Flower Festival opened Thursday and continues through Sunday at Ryon Park, 800 W. Ocean Ave. Gates will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Festival admission is $5 or free for those age 12 or younger.
Along with nearly two dozen food booths plus other vendors, the Flower Festival will include a carnival hosted by Guadagno & Sons Amusements with games and rides.
For the final day, a full slate of entertainment will hit the stage at Ryon Park with an assortment of local youth and adult performances. The complete schedule is available here.
Each night, a headliner act took the stage with country artist Drew Baldridge performing Saturday while Banda La Invasora will hit the stage at 5 p.m. Sunday.
Also Sunday, Garcia Dance Studio members will take the stage from 2 to 3 p.m. while Live & Love Dance Production participants will perform from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
For more information, a list of food vendors, schedules and more, go to the festival website at lompocvalleyfestivals.com or the Facebook page by clicking here.
