Thursday, July 26th, 2007

Everybody loves a parade

Diegel family tradition continues with the next generation chairing the Celina Lake Festival Grand Parade

By Betty Lawrence

Photo by Daily Standard Staff

Lake Festival Parade 2006

The Celina Lake Festival Grand Parade - one of the largest in the state - has been a big part of the Diegel family for more than 20 years.

Monte Diegel of Celina had organized the popular event for two decades. Helping him along the way were his two sons, Tyson and Randy. Even his wife, Bert Diegel, has helped at times.

When Monte Diegel bowed out as parade chairman a few years ago, his son Randy decided to follow his father's footsteps and step up as parade chairman.

"I helped Dad a lot with all the parades, actually most of my life," Randy Diegel, 23, says. "I wanted the challenge."

The 150-unit parade begins at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, with a Goldwing motorcycle, collector car and antique tractor parade kicking off the event at 6:15.

"He (Randy) just grew up with it all his life," Monte Diegel says. "He's not afraid to ask questions, and he'll do a fine job as chairman."

Lining up all the entries for the parade is the hardest part, Randy Diegel feels.

"I try to space out the bands and floats and the animals are put toward the front, not the back. That's so they don't overheat. City officials and the veterans go first," he says.

If an animal has to relieve himself, there are people walking the parade route with pooper scoopers in hand, he says.

The thousands of people who gather along the parade route seem to like the floats best, Randy Diegel says. The bands also are a popular attraction.

"But I never see the parade because I have always been at the starting point, lining everyone up," he says.

On Saturday the Diegel family will be at the parade's starting point, marking the individual entry spots with chalk. They will be there all day getting ready for the evening parade, and when the parade is over, they will clear the area before heading home.
Monte Diegel says the biggest change during his 20-plus years chairing the parade is when the route changed from being strictly a Main Street parade to its current route.
Randy Diegel says this first year as chairman will be a learning experience.
"People will call in entries up until the day of the parade," he says. "The parade is getting close and people are calling a lot now. Next year, it should be a little easier."

Monte Diegel says he will be there, working side-by-side with his son on the day of the parade.

"It's really nice to still have our name associated with the parade committee," he says.

Photo by Daily Standard Staff

Lake Festival Parade 2006

Photo by Daily Standard Staff

Lake Festival Parade 2006

Photo by Daily Standard Staff

Lake Festival Parade 2006

Photo by Daily Standard Staff

Lake Festival Parade 2006

Photo by Daily Standard Staff

Lake Festival Parade 2006

Photo by Daily Standard Staff

In the 2006 Celina Lake Festival parade, first place for best use of theme went to this float by the Mount Carmel Church of God. Second place in theme went to Mercer Health and third to Celina Cub Scout Pack 69. Other major awards went to Ray's Refrigeration and the Western Ohio Healing Field. The 150 entries in the parade included 38 floats, marching bands, politicians, fire trucks, color guards, farm machinery and enough candy to go around. The Grand Parade this year will be Saturday at 6:30 p.m. through Celina's downtown area.

Photo by Daily Standard Staff

Area residents show off their jumping. four-wheel drive vehicles at the car show during the 2006 Celina Lake Festival.

Photo by Daily Standard Staff

Angie Slusher, of Warren, Ind., pulls 207.1' in the "Big Stock" division. The Garden Tractor Pull participants braved the heat for their annual pull in 2006. Slusher says she really enjoys coming to Western Ohio Garden Tractor Pull Association events.

Photo by Daily Standard Staff

Team members from the 36 entries in the Cardboard Duck Tape Boat Race work up a sweat Saturday afternoon taping their boats together before attempting to sail them across the finish line on Grand Lake.

Photo by Daily Standard Staff

Operators of personal watercraft vehicles display their skills during the 2005 Celina Lake Festival. This year, watercross tours (Jet Ski races) will be Saturday and Sunday with 9 a.m. practice, 10 a.m. racing at the lakeshore area.

Photo by Daily Standard Staff

A trolley which brought 2005 festival visitors from parking areas to the activities. The trolley will again be rolling in 2007.

Photo by Daily Standard Staff

Celina Cub Scout Pack 69 fishes for Scouts as they float through the 2006 parade during the Celina Lake Festival. The Scouts sported life jackets and cast out their lines in hopes of a bite.

Photo by Daily Standard Staff

Celina Girl Scouts hand out goodies at the 2006 parade. Girls rode in a large pontoon boat, dressed as cookies and showed off their uniforms with badges and patches. The Scouts sell cookies annually, learn skills to earn badges and do service projects. They also have the opportunity to have camping experiences.

Photo by Daily Standard Staff

Ryan Snyder of Celina paddles his way to victory during the third annual Cardboard Duck Tape Boat Race held Saturday afternoon during the Celina Lake Festival. Snyder and his brother, Jason, took first place and were honored for their accomplishment with a ride on a parade float Saturday night.

Photo by Daily Standard Staff

Returning from a three-hour tour including the rejuvenated boat parade is the USS Minnow. The Gilligan's Island themed float started at Behm's Restaurant on the south side of Grand Lake, floated by Lakeshore Drive and concluded its tour at Harbor Point. After a 15-year hiatus the boat parade is planned to continue in 2007, with prizes.

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