CORCORAN - Marching bands, baton-twirlers, Shriners and politicians promenaded down Corcoran's Whitley Avenue on Saturday for the 47th annual Cotton Festival Parade.

More than 3,000 people lined the streets to watch the 65 parade entries -- by far the most ever -- and enjoy some good old-fashioned Americana.

"Cotton is a big part of our history, so having the Cotton Festival this time of year around harvest season, it's really a great thing for the community," said Corcoran City Manager Ron Hoggard.

Cotton advisers told The Sentinel on Thursday that this year's harvest looks promising compared to the mediocre yields of 2006.

This year's more popular parade entries included New China Restaurant's ornate Chinese dragon costumes; the Lake Bottom Cruisers and their rumbling muscle cars; and the Corcoran High School marching band, trailed by the school's high-riding football team, whose performance this year has the town in a tizzy.

"This is the largest parade Corcoran has ever had," said Darrell Frey, Corcoran Chamber of Commerce chief executive officer.

"This year, just about everything Corcoran does has been positive, from the housing to the schools to the football team, the whole ball of wax," he said.

The Tehran Shriners Clowns got squeals of delight from the parade's younger viewers, followed closely by the fez-adorned Tulare County Shriners Tin Lizzies, speeding around in the loud, miniature cars.

Rep. Jim Costa sat atop a convertible red Mustang, waving to the crowd.

"My mom was born here!" he yelled out to the judging table.

Assemblywoman Nicole Parra smiled and waved from behind a large banner reading "Parra to the people."

The Cotton Festival kicked off at 7 a.m. with the Rotary Club's pancake breakfast. After the parade, festivities continued with a "Kid's Day at the Park" in conjunction with the Corcoran Guild of Children's Hospital Central California, which included carnival games, bounce houses, a rock wall, dunk tanks, face-painting and a magic show. Proceeds went to the hospital.

The Corcoran Volunteer Fire Department hosted a chili cook-off, with proceeds benefiting the department.

The event ended with live music from "August" and a street dance.

"It really brings the community together," said Lora Cartwright, principal of John C. Fremont Elementary School. "This town has grown up around cotton, so this is a way to support the town, and a time for everyone to get together and celebrate."

The reporter can be reached at 582-0471, ext. 3043.

(Sept. 30, 2007)