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Photos & Video by Don Backman
Clover’s Day Parade in Cloverdale – Saturday July 1, 2023: The 41st Clovers Day Parade in Cloverdale, Oregon – It is billed as the only parade in the United States that is led by a dairy cow. It’s one of the coolest and most fun parades I get to cover each year. This year my focus was on the kids because kids are a big part of what our small-town parades are all about.
The kids were dressed up for the occasion. When I asked, the answer was “That’s just what the kids do here.” There wasn’t any competition or any other reason than just enjoying a parade.
By the way, the kids came away with lots and lots of candy.
The weather was perfect for a parade.
Cloverdale is a small community nestled among dairy farms and forests in Southern Tillamook County. The annual celebration is a big hit with the locals and visitors who line the parade route. The parade begins at the High School up on the hill and loops down to Highway 101, then along 101, and back up to the school.
The crowd gets into it, and most of the children along the route were dressed up in some way. This is one of my favorite parades. It brings together the community and is fun for all.
The music group Surefire performed Rock Classics from the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s, and was only recorded as part of news coverage.
