Amador County – Pine Grove Camp’s “Crew Two,” led by Captain Chris Waters, participated in the city of Ione’s 135th annual Homecoming celebration by marching in the community parade.

Superintendent Mike Roots of the Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp announced the participation in a release last week.

Officer Mitch Karr drove the Emergency Crew Vehicle while Crew Two, wearing wildland firefighting gear and fully tooled up, walked the route. Roots said “although the Ione Homecoming Parade was relatively short in distance, it was long on public participation and enthusiastic support.” Pine Grove Camp’s wildland firefighters rounded out a number of fire engines, rescue rigs, and assorted fire support vehicles driven by CAL Fire and the city personnel from the Ione Fire Department.

All fire service entries were well received and publicly acknowledged for their continuing public service contribution to the greater community.

Ione’s 135th Homecoming celebration opened Friday, May 13th with a new event called “Holy Smokes! It’s a Rib Cook-off.” There was music by “30 Years After” and “FreeZeout”. During the day, a children’s costume contest, junior frog jump, and a Little League baseball game occurred at the elementary school.

A carnival was held at Howard Park where fireworks lit up the sky when the sun went down. Saturday kicked off with the Bedbug Challenge run and walk, the Cub Scout pancake breakfast and other festive events at Howard Park.

The parade down Main Street began at 10 a.m. with Grand Marshal Dolores Larrigan leading the way. Larrigan said she has participated in the parade for 65 years and “Hats, Horses and Hay” are just her style.

Right after the parade was the ever popular soap box derby. The Saturday night Homecoming dance was held on Main Street from 9 p.m. until midnight.

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