HERALD, CA (MPG) - The 44th annual Herald Day brought the Herald community together on Aug. 3 in the town’s biggest celebration of the year.

The annual tradition began, as it does every year, with a parade. 

Natalie Conner kicked off the parade with a performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Then, cars and floats proceeded down Ivie and Herald roads, where they passed cheering onlookers and the parade participants tossed candy to eager children.

Grace McCune, who co-founded Herald Baptist Church in 1972, served as the grand marshal, riding at the head of the parade in a yellow convertible.

“I was born in 1972 and she was already doing great things for the Herald community,” said Sacramento County Supervisor Pat Hume, who was announcing the parade entries.

“It was a great turnout. There was a lot of great entries in the parade,” Hume told the Herald after the parade. 

The classic cars that drove in the parade caught his attention, in particular a “really pretty” Ford Model T roadster brought by Jim and Carole Snow.

Another parade entry was an electric blue Mustang owned by Kemyatta Harris, who bought it in 2019 as a retirement gift for herself. 

“I love it, drive it. It’s nicknamed the Simba. That’s my nickname. I got that in the military,” Harris said. 

The car was decorated with a stuffed animal, Simba, from “The Lion King.”

Harris learned about Herald Day from a friend and was glad to come out with some candy for the parade watchers. She enjoyed that the parade wasn’t too long, lasting a brisk half-hour.

“I loved it, so I gave out extra candy,” Harris said.

Taylor Peasha, sergeant-at-arms for organizer Herald Community Club, was pleased with how the parade went.

“Everything went smoothly and nobody got hurt,” Peasha said. 

Charged with organizing the parade, Peasha was committed to a safe parade after a horseback rider was injured in last year’s event.

“It was better than expected and it seemed like everyone had fun,” Peasha continued.

There was no shortage of fun activities for attendees, such as a horseshoe competition, craft vendors, Galt Lions Club bingo and a cornhole tournament that attracted 76 teams. 

There were also bounce houses, a petting zoo and a magician.

Delicious entries in the baking and canning competitions lined tables at Herald Community Park. The two best of show winners were a loaf of pumpkin bread from Kelly Hines and peach pie jam from Tammy Conner. 

Organizer Jim Cunningham thanked the judges and competitors.

Late in the morning, auctioneer Shann Galuza was getting ready for the auction. 

After five or six years of leading the Herald Day auction, Galuza said it is distinguished by its “hometown feel.”

Galuza expected several items to attract a lot of interest, including a collection of Carhartt jackets, an assortment of belt buckles, and some air conditioners and fans.

Peasha hoped that all attendees would enjoy themselves, and he said that the proceeds would help Herald Community Club continue giving back to the community.

“I ultimately just hope that we can continue to have Herald Day be as big as it is today,” Peasha said.