Letter: Bok Kai Parade oldest claim challenged

I have read with interest your "Explore 99 Things" and a good many of these things are one shot deals, that is, they are not something that is available every day.

I wish there was a book/brochure that told about things that were happening every day. I guess there are not any.

Another blunder is that the Bok Kai parade is in your book as California's oldest. You really believe that? Do you believe that our thriving, exciting state never had any parades until around 1880 when the Bok Kai Parade came to be?

No? Well I sure never believed it. It is not only a lie but like Mark Twain once said, "a damn" lie!

I will tell you why! The year was 1960. It was Sunday, March 17, and St. Patrick's Day. We, of the Yuba College Highland band, had been invited by the United Irish Societies of San Francisco to march in its parade.

The parade was The 108th St. Patrick's Day Parade. The very first St. Patrick's Day Parade took place when the bands marched on St. Patrick's Day ... 1852!

Those who toot their horn every year with all of this undocumented information, now do you really, really believe that our great state did not have a parade until the 1880 Bok Kai Parade? Imagine, 30 or 40 years and no parade? Wow!

Dick Marquette

Sutter

Editor's note: The 133rd Bok Kai Festival is scheduled March 16-17 in Marysville.