Members of the Class of 1958 ride in style, on hay bales.

JOHN DAY – Balloons, flags and smiles were everywhere as the Grant County Fair and Rodeo Parade hit the road Saturday morning, Aug. 23.

The 2008 parade drew dancers, wranglers, rodeo queens and more to entertain the spectators who lined the streets from Grant Union High School and through downtown John Day.

The awards went to the following:

? Walking group – 1st, A Place to Grow.

? Decorated timber industry vehicle – 1st, Oregon Department of Forestry.

? Antique vehicle – 1st, John and Janice Nydam’s 1936 Ford and Glenn Palmer’s 1937 Chevy pickup; 2nd, Claude Baker’s 1917 Model T Ford and Duane Brown’s 1948 Plymouth.

? Decorated vehicle – 1st, Golden Heritage adult foster care.

? Other – 1st, Grant County Democratic Committee/Mike Ahern, candidate for state House District 59.

? Classic vehicle – 1st, Eileen Roberts’ 1976 Corvette; 2nd, KJDY 1973 VW.

? Horse drawn entries – 1st, Del Raymond & Mary, Prairie City; 2nd, Old West Federal Credit Union, with team owned and driven by Rusty Clark; 3rd, Eastern Oregon University.

? Mounted, female adult – 1st, Kaylee Ausland, representing the Peruvian Paso Fun Club.

? Mounted, female junior – 1st, Rowdy Israel, representing the future fair court.

? Riding organization or family – 1st, Rattlesnake Ridge Riders of the Backcountry, Washington state; 2nd, Original Rodeo Bandits Drill Team of Molalla; 3rd, Nolan Family of Mt. Vernon.

? Commercial floats – 1st, Strawberry Mountain Natural Beef; 2nd, Chester’s Thriftway; 3rd, John Day Auto Parts NAPA.

? Schools and organizations – 1st, Grant Union High School Prospectors Booster Club; 2nd, GUHS Class of 1958; 3rd, GU Gold Dance Team.

? Miscellaneous Floats – 1st, Alva Farley, 1949 antique tractor and float; 2nd, Blue Mountain Old Time Fiddlers.

? Sweepstakes Float – Strawberry Mountain Natural Beef.

The parade was sponsored by State Farm Insurance.