An early morning run and breakfast were staged first on Saturday but the annual Park Fete parade, stepping off at 10:30 a.m. this year, signaled the official start of the downtown activities for the day.

Serving as emcee this year was Todd ‘TJ’ O’Neill, who serves as director at the Escalon Youth Center, and he kept the crowd informed of the floats and groups passing by, as well as interacting with a handful of participants along the way.

Escalon American Legion Post member Vince Giovaniello once again worked to coordinate the parade and it included a number of entries, with many tossing candy to kids lining both sides of Main Street.

Local groups and organizations, the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Department, Cub Scouts, U.S Naval Sea Cadet Corps, classic cars and more were featured.