A parade will travel down Exeter’s Pine Street just before the end of the year. And, while it may not as glorious as the Rose Parade in Pasadena the following day, the Exeter Lions Club’s 3rd Annual Doo-Dah Parade on New Year’s Eve offers a unique way to say goodbye to 2014.
“It’s just a crazy parade,” said Bob Sparry, chairman. “Entrants can do anything they want, as long as it is not too risqué.”
The parade generally consists of a dozen or so entrants, which can be individuals or groups wearing some type of costume. They walk, ride bikes, motorcycles or horses, or appear on a float. The purpose is to be entertaining or fun, and aimed at getting a laugh, Sparry said.
Anyone can enter and prizes are offered, including a grand prize of $500, making it a good fundraiser for youth clubs, Sparry said. Five people from within the community will be serve as judges.
The evening kicks off at 5pm with food vendors, a beer garden, petting zoo, bounce houses and miniature train rides, said Tom Gray, logistics chairman for the evening. The parade begins at 6pm and runs down Pine Street, with judging at the corner of Pine and E streets.
At 7pm, live music by Branded Hearts, playing a combination of country and rock, begins at Mixter Park, with the parade awards to be presented at 7:45pm.
At 9pm, guests are invited to move down to F and Palm streets, to view the fireworks presentation. A disc jockey and dancing will finish off the evening.
The Exeter Lions Club has long been associated with some of the best pyrotechnics displays in the South Valley, having produced 4th of July shows for more than 50 years. As in the past couple of years, the New Year’s Eve show is expected to draw a crowd.
New Year’s Eve events, sponsored by different organizations, have taken place in downtown Exeter since the year 2000. In 2012, Exeter Lions Club became the event’s annual organizers.
“It is now a more permanent and prominent annual event,” Gray said. “Every year it grows a little bit. It’s a lot of fun and we do it for the local people to have fun.”
The festivities will take place rain or shine.
Parade entries are open to all age groups, free and accepted until Tuesday, December 30, through the Exeter Chamber, 101 W. Pine St., 592-2919, or Ben Weldon’s State Farm office, 151 South E Street, 592-2202.