Pioneer Days Parade to feature 'sounds of Clovis'

The 40th annual Pioneer Days Parade is meant to be seen and heard.

The parade will serve as one of the culminating events for the week-long Pioneer Days celebration that starts today and ends June 4.

Lauren Tillman, event coordinator at the Clovis and Curry County Chamber of Commerce, said Pioneer Days is a community celebration of the people who founded Clovis.

The week is a variety of events including rodeo, barbecue, a pageant and parade.

“The goal of the events is to provide the community with something to do that reflects the Clovis culture and Clovis community,” Tillman said. “(Pioneer Days) is really for the community to have a chance to celebrate together.”

John Montano has been organizing the parade for 20 years. The theme for this year’s parade is “The Clovis Sounds,” such as planes and trains.

“I’ve seen some entries and it’s gonna be a good mix of things,” Montano said.

Montano said the city’s growth is bringing in a variety of industries and sounds.

“We’ve grown so much that we have a little bit of everything,” Montano said. “It will reflect the mix the city has and we’re celebrating 40 years of it.”

Montano said the Clovis High School band and Junior Reserve Officers Training Corp will be part of the parade.

The deadline to register a float in the parade is 5 p.m. June 4 but Montano said he will take entries until the parade starts at 10 a.m. June 5.

“We want everyone to come out and take part of it,” he said.

Parade awards will be given to the first, second and third place winners in six categories and one overall best entry. It is free to enter. Entry forms are available at the chamber of commerce.

Information: Clovis and Curry County Chamber of Commerce at 763-3435