HERMISTON – Sam Stelk sat on the street corner and made sure his plastic Scooby Doo dog had a good view of the Umatilla County Fair parade Saturday night.

Stelk, 7, was anxious to see horses and he wasn’t disappointed. His sister, Kristen, 16 months, was dressed in a pink short suit and held tightly to a hot pink balloon.

Roz Stelk, the children’s mother, said even though her family now lives in Bend, they are originally from Pendleton. While they are here on summer vacation, seeing Hermiston’s big annual fair parade is a must.

While waiting for the parade, throngs of people lined the streets, sitting on fold-out chairs and benches and eating ice cream and potato chips.

The parade began at 7 p.m. with Hermiston police officers clearing the way on motorcycles and the Veterans of Foreign Wars carrying an American flag.

The parade’s grand marshal followed, riding in a miniature cart pulled by a miniature horse. The fair court, dressed in full costume, rode in on horseback while the Hermiston City Council threw candy from high atop a Hermiston Fire Department rig.

Other entries in the parade included a long farm float by Banner Bank, red and green tractors and Northwest Metal Fabrication truck equipment. Children who need foster or adoptive homes rode on a float as did Hermiston High School cheerleaders. Small and tall bicycle riders filled the gaps.

A guy dressed as Shrek walking a donkey drew laughter and puzzled looks from the crowd. Hermiston Pharmacy encouraged people to come drink tea at its lunch counter as each float rider wore an outfit from Alice in Wonderland’s tea party and rode on a flatbed truck.

A man from Hermiston Skate Center drove around a large motorized shoe skate.

The Neighbor-of-the-Year, Ken Huber of Hermiston, rode in a police vehicle with Officer Gretchen Erickson. Huber’s neighbors, Kenny and Chris Gibbs, nominated him for the award.

Preparations for the parade mingled with excitement all day long in Hermiston.

At 1 p.m., Jim’s Barber Shop on Hermiston Avenue set out reserved arm chairs along the route. Hale’s restaurant on Main Street set up hay bales for people to perch on. Cars and trucks with deep base pounding from their stereos cruised Main Street. Festive music played from houses that lined the parade route.

Police and city officials worked hard to prepare for the event. Cars were moved out of the parade route, signs were erected and police continuously checked the route and blocked Highway 395 traffic at just the right time during the parade.

This year’s Umatilla County Fair theme is “It’s All About Youth.” There were more than 140 entries in the parade this year, said Spike Piersol, chairman of the parade. His wife, Delores, is co-chair, and the Altrusa Club and Hermiston Ham Radio Operators help organize the annual event.

The Umatilla County Fair officially opens Tuesday. It will showcase 4-H livestock and other farm animals as well as farm events and prizes, business booths and a wide range of entertainment.

General admission to the fair includes all concerts and shows. Admission is $6 for adults, $3 for children ages 6 to 13, and children 5 years old and younger get in free with an adult. Parking is $3.

For more information, call the fair offices at 567-6121 or 1-800-700-3247.

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Reporter Carie L. Call can be reached at 1-800-522-0255 (ext. 1-304 after hours) or e-mail: ccall@eastoregonian.com.