Auburn Veterans Day Parade award winners announced
Published 9:30 am Wednesday, November 9, 2016
The City of Auburn has announced the winners of the City of Auburn’s 51st annual Veterans Day Parade last Saturday.
A panel of four judges took on the complex task of deciding the winners out of the 210 entries, of which 30 were high school marching bands or military bands.
There are six award categories, with the most prestigious award being the General’s Award.
This year’s winners are as follows:
General’s Award – Best in Parade: Sumner High School Spartan Marching Band
Admiral’s Award – Best Military Entry: Graham-Kapowsin High School Army Junior ROTC
Memorial Award to Harold Page – Best Veteran Service Organization Entry: Submarine Veterans of WWII and Submarine Veterans, Inc.
Colonel’s Award – Best Motorized Entry: Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association
Veteran’s Award – Best Non-Motorized Entry: Buffalo Soldiers of Seattle
Mayor’s Award – Best Musical or Drill Entry: University High School Marching Band and Fanfare Ensemble
Winners of the Curb Competition
The competition was created in 2010 as a way for groups/organizations that do not fit the parade criteria, to still participate in the event and honor our veterans and active military personnel.
Award winners are as follows:
Best Curb Appeal – Price Helton Funeral Home
Most Patriotic – Knights of Columbus
Best Salute to Veterans – Wesley Homes
Honorable Mention: Best New Entry – Merrill Gardens
The parade is the focal point of numerous veteran-related events that take place in Auburn. Military and veteran units, military vehicles and equipment, marching bands, antique cars and community groups took part in this year’s parade.
The Star Spangled Banner was sung loud and proud to mark the beginning of the parade, which coincided with the breathtaking C-17 flyover. Spectators and parade participants were treated to three additional flyovers; the King County Sheriff’s Department helicopter, flying low over the parade route and two WWII-era aircraft, owned and flown by Steve Hewitt and John Johnson – both veterans.
