LOCK HAVEN - The Shriners are coming to town.
And not just a few of them. Hundreds will be here on Saturday for the 10th Annual Best of Clinton County Summer Festival and Parade.
As always, the Shriners will be easily recognizable, wearing those unique-looking felt hats with the long tassel dangling down one side.
But there's something else that will set them apart - they'll be driving miniature Corvettes, antique cars and motorcycles, playing oriental and stringed instruments and greeting folks as they make their way up Main Street for one of the biggest parades ever in downtown Lock Haven.
The Shriners' Highlanders, Drum & Bugle Corps, Motor Corps and Calliope Clowns will also be in the line of march.
There will be 25 units and 300 Shriners in all, joining dozens of Clinton County businesses, organizations and clubs in the parade, which starts at 1 p.m. at Race and Main streets, running on Main to Second Street.
It's not often that this many Shriners get together for a parade, said Leroy Kerns, Jaffa Shrine Unit officer from Altoona.
"All six Shrine centers in Jaffa Shrine have their own parade units. They usually do their own thing, marching in parades in their own jurisdiction. About once a year, we get together like this ... as a big body ... and do a parade," Kerns said.
"We got a request to come to Lock Haven this year ... and they have a big chapter in Clinton County... so we'll be there," Kerns said.
Besides the Shriners, there will be other special people in the parade -most notably the family of Clinton County Fire Police Capt. Don Mellot, who was killed earlier this year while directing traffic at the scene of an auto accident.
The parade is dedicated to Mellot, who served his community in many ways for many years. Don was instrumental in helping coordinate the Best of Clinton County Parade each year, helping to maintain the safety of parade participants and viewers.
Also, members of the 82nd Airborne Division Honor Guard, Harrisburg Chapter, will again lead the parade. This group has led every parade in Lock Haven over the past six years.
Terry Banfill, a member of the 82nd Color Guard, will drive the Casson with the 82nd Airborne military spouses.
In honor of those who have served in the military, Frances Lovett, a World War II veteran who served in the Army, Air Force, Navy and Army National Guard, will be driven in a convertible by Renovo veteran Jack O'Toole.
Donald Pagnotto, World War II Army veteran and mayor of Renovo, will follow in another convertible. And Dean Muthler, Army veteran, will represent the veterans of the 60th anniversary of the Korean War.
Look for the Clinton County Republican Party float as they will be handing out American flags.
Another 30 local clubs, fire companies and businesses have registered for the parade. It's expected to be Lock Haven's biggest and most beautiful parade in years and everyone is encouraged to come out for the fun and excitement.
But there's more than just the parade planned on this big day, which is organized by Downtown Lock Haven Inc.
The downtown will be filled with plenty of things to see and do from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
There will be sidewalk sales at many businesses, an Arts and Crafts Fair at Triangle Park with over 20 vendors. Sponsored by the City of Lock Haven's recreation department, all proceeds will benefit the city's summer recreation program that provides supervisors at area playgrounds through the summer.
Nearby, The Express will host the sale of some rare, collectible newspapers, local pictures and memorabilia, along with a flea market with dozens of items for sale. The show and sale will be held in the alley between The Express building and the post office. All proceeds will go toward the Newspapers In Education program that provides the local newspaper to schools for classroom lessons.
St. Paul's Episcopal Church will again host its annual Strawberry Festival, offering all the favorites, including strawberry sundaes, smoothies, soup and sandwiches.
There will be more than 40 vendors on Main and Mill streets, featuring great food and sidewalk sales.
The Lock Haven Farmers Market will be held at the corner of Vesper and Main streets, where a Children's Creativity Corner will also be open for boys and girls.
Mr. T. will be out entertaining children with all types of balloon creations.
There's also the Sidewalk Chalk Contest hosted by the Ross Library and the annual hula hoop contest. The Lock Haven YMCA and Clinton County United Way will also have booths.
New this year to the Best of Clinton County Summer Festival and Parade is the Clinton County Historical Society's Timely Stitches Antique Quilt and Fabric Arts Show at the Masonic Temple. This three-day show begins Friday from noon to 5 p.m., and continues Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 pm and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.
The show celebrates all aspects of quilting, needlework, weaving, knitting and embroidery throughout history. There will be appraisals, a yarn swap, vintage textile sales, sheep to shawl demonstration and a display of vintage wedding apparel and fabric art, sponsored by Woolrich and the Clinton County Historical Society.
Immediately following the parade, Snug will perform live on Vesper Street.
Just down the street is the Giant Indoor Yard Sale at Lock Haven East Campus Gym sponsored by The AIDS Project.
Meanwhile, across the Susquehanna River at the Lockport Boat Launch in Woodward Township, the fourth annual Great Island Adventure Triathlon will take place. It begins early - about 8 a.m. - Saturday, starting with the kayak leg of the race.
At last count, more than 100 people had registered for the event, but organizers say people can register right up to Saturday morning. The 23-mile race includes a kayak-canoe segment, a bicycle road course and a running course. First, second and third-place finishers will receive hand-made clay tiles imprinted with the triathlon logo design, and the Iron Man and Iron Woman finishers will each receive a specially-crafted wooden paddle with the logo imprinted on the blade.
Registration information for the Great Island Adventure Triathlon is available at Rock River & Trail Outfitters or at the store's Web site at www.rockriverandtrail.com. For more information, call 748-1818.
