Farmers Day 2015: Dominguez has enjoyed coordinating the parade

For most everyone, Farmers Day offers entertainment, a chance to catch up with old friends, and even make some new acquaintances. But, really, everybody loves a parade.

For parade organizers, including Sandy Dominguez, the Farmers Day parade is a months-long process fueled by a desire to get everything just right for the enjoyment of the crowd.

Dominguez has coordinated the parade line-up for at least the last seven years, when she was bequeathed the volunteer position by Steve Brown.

With decreasing volunteers, she takes on increasing responsibilities this year, as Tim Anderson retired from his duties after 25 years on the committee.

“What Tim Anderson did, was would type out the descriptions, have all the registration numbers ready Saturday morning and then he would give the descriptions to Kerry Ferguson on the stage,” Dominguez said.

If a change occurred, Anderson would alert those on stage so the description matched the entrant. Though the line-up is never precise, volunteers work hard to ensure it all goes off without a hitch.

“Once you get involved in Farmers Day, it turns out to be a lot of fun,” Dominguez said. “Its fun to give back, to get involved and its fun to shoot the breeze with people and get to know them.”

The most rewarding part of volunteering for the parade is hearing that people enjoyed it, Dominguez said.

“You can’t always please everybody and there is always a way to improve it,” Dominguez said. “The most challenging is having all of the logistics and details ironed out.”

Dominguez stated that it can be a challenge having band members through the parade and back to the starting point for any floats they are part of. She added that communication is key to avoiding those challenges.

Invitations are sent out for dignitaries, the Air Force, bag pipers, mountain men, the Union Pacific Rail Road and high school bands from neighboring towns.

“Every year we try to get more bands. To get the school bands, they have volley ball games and tournaments,” Dominguez explained. “The more the better.”

Dominguez said that as each year progresses, more and more people in the community are bringing new activities to the celebration.

“I’m proud to do what I can to help,” Dominguez said. “I’ve enlisted my family, Rebecca is on the committee, my husband is on the committee, my grandson is going to be on the committee.”

Dignitaries for the upcoming Farmers Day include: parade grand marshals Bob and Jean Barrett, outstanding farmers Dan and Linda Barrett and outstanding homemaker Carol Walker.