Poway celebrates its heritage and unity with 60th annual parade
by Elizabeth Marie Himchak
The 60th annual Poway Rotary Parade rolled down Poway Road on Saturday with a wide assortment of participants. The theme was “Celebrating Heritage and Unity.”
The parade opened with a ceremonial blessing sung by the Ashaa TakookBird Singers, members of the Kumeyaay Nation.
Selected to be this year’s grand marshal was Paul “Bear Dog” Rodriguez, cultural adviser to the Kumeyaay and Cocopah tribes. He often speaks at schools, organizations and community groups to share stories and insights about Native ways of life.
As for the parade award winners, the Rotary Award went to Westview High School’s NJROTC unit, the Mayor’s Award went to Fables and Friends Equestrian Club and the Poway Rodeo won the Best in Theme honor. Poway High School Poway High’s Emerald Brigade was named Best Marching Band, while during the pet parade portion the Best Owner and Pet prize went to Mary Caraway and CinnaBella Buns.
The parade was organized by the Rotary Club of Poway-Scripps. Among other organizations assisting was the Kiwanis Club of Poway, which cooked and served breakfast to the parade VIPs and volunteers. The Poway Library gave free books to those of all ages.
See more photos at PomeradoNews.com.
The 2025 Poway Rotary Parade Grand Marshal, Paul “Bear Dog” Rodriguez, cultural adviser to the Kumeyaay and Cocopah tribes. (Criselda Yee)
Poway Elks Lodge 2543’s float. (Criselda Yee)
Locals lining Poway Road to watch the parade. (Criselda Yee)
Victorian Roses Ladies Riding Society representing the 1880s Victorian era. (Criselda Yee)
Westview High School Navy Junior ROTC won the parade’s “Rotary Award.” (Criselda Yee)
Mesa View Baptist Church of Poway was among those who entered a float. (Criselda Yee)
Miss Teen Rancho Bernardo 1st Princess Jovanna Windsor and Miss Teen Rancho Bernardo Felicia French. (Criselda Yee)
Miss Teen Poway Princess Presley Smith, Miss Teen Poway Scarlette Mullenger and Miss Teen Poway Princess Hailey Ingstad. (Criselda Yee)
The Poway Rodeo float won the “Best in Theme” award for its entry “Celebrating Heritage and Unity.” (Criselda Yee)
The 2025 Poway Rodeo Junior Queen Stella Erb and Rodeo Queen Lacey Bainbridge. (Criselda Yee)
Aaron Murther, Ron Kohl, Katie Salo, Arah Cho, Erin Bethge, Diane Crawford, Karen Herreros and Jeri Winberg were among the many volunteers from the Rotary Club of Poway-Scripps who worked on the parade. (Criselda Yee)
Representatives from Pony Land San Diego, which has provided pony and carriage rides at Old Poway Park events. (Criselda Yee)
Members of the Poway Dance Project at Poway High performing in the parade. (Criselda Yee)
The new Lookout at Lake Poway, which serves food on the deck overlooking the lake’s boat dock, was among businesses participating in the parade. (Criselda Yee)
The Community Church of Poway created a large-scale model of its chapel built in 1887 along Community Road. (Criselda Yee)
Ashaa Takook Bird Singers members Waldine Fox, Wilana Ortega and Ral Christeman from the Kumeyaay Nation who sang a ceremonial blessing. (Criselda Yee)
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The 2025 Poway Rotary Parade Grand Marshal, Paul “Bear Dog” Rodriguez, cultural adviser to the Kumeyaay and Cocopah tribes. (Criselda Yee)
