Parade is set to begin at 10 a.m. on Oct. 5, following a new route through downtown Atascadero

ATASCADERO — This year marks a monumental celebration as the Atascadero Colony Days Parade returns on Oct. 5, embracing the theme “50 Years of Fabulous Floats.” This grand celebration will honor five decades of creativity, community spirit, and the rich history of Atascadero, showcasing a mix of the parade’s past, present, and future.

Since its inception in 1974, the year after the first Atascadero Colony Days Festival, the tradition of float-building has been a cornerstone of the Colony Days Parade. This year, participants are encouraged to craft floats that reflect not only the theme but also highlight the natural beauty of the region and feature elements of historical architecture, blending nostalgic favorites with new, innovative designs.

“Atascadero Colony Days has always been about bringing the community together to celebrate our unique identity,” said Elizabeth Enriquez-Phillips, parade director with the Colony Days Committee. “This year’s theme is especially meaningful as it reflects on the parade’s rich history while looking forward to the future. We’re excited to see the creativity that our community will bring to life with their floats.”

This year’s Colony Days theme logo draws rich inspiration from the vibrant 1970s, California’s state flower, and a Sweepstakes-winning float from Frank Sanchez, a prominent figure in our community’s history and the 2016 Atascadero Colony Days King. The logo reflects the aesthetic and spirit of that era, intertwined with the natural beauty symbolized by our state flower, creating a visual celebration of our local heritage and community achievements.

The Colony Days Committee said it owes a special thanks to Sanchez for sharing a priceless photo that encapsulates the spirit of the community from the 1970s. 

Reflecting on his experiences, Frank shared in 2015, “Here is a picture of one of my Colony Days Sweepstakes Winner floats titled ‘Sunday at the Sunken Gardens.’ I was executive vice president of Atascadero Guarantee Savings and Loan Association and left in 1978 … I had the office staff and their families decorate and ride on the float. This photo was taken during the Pioneer Days parade where it also won sweepstakes.”

This historic image not only influenced this year’s theme logo but also serves as a reminder of the creativity and collaborative spirit that have been hallmarks of the parade since the beginning. It’s important to note that the available photo captures the float’s appearance in the Paso Robles Pioneer Days Parade.

The parade is set to begin at 10 a.m. on Oct. 5, following a new route through downtown Atascadero, starting on Lewis Avenue behind the Administration Building. It will continue down Capistrano, turn on CA-41 briefly into El Camino Real and come back up West Mall. The event is free and open to the public. Post-parade, the festivities will continue with the annual Colony Days Festival, featuring food vendors, arts and crafts, and activities for all ages. New this year, local business Huckleberry’s will be in the diner serving breakfast, lunch, and beignets all day in Tent City.

Call to action for volunteers and sponsors:

The Colony Day Committee is actively seeking sponsors and volunteers to help make the 50th parade their best yet. Join them to support the event through various sponsorship opportunities or by volunteering on parade day.

Registration Deadline:

Be sure to register to be in the parade by Sept. 27 to secure your spot. Visit ColonyDays.org for more information on how to participate, volunteer, or become a sponsor.

Colony Days Week Schedule

Sunday, Sept. 29

2 p.m.

Quota of Atascadero Tea at Atascadero Bible Church

Wednesday, Oct. 2

5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Colony Days Mixer — Open to all

Location: Colony Cinemas Atascadero, located at 6917 El Camino Real

Friday, Oct. 4

5:30 p.m.

Colony Days Tent City at First Fridays with the City of Atascadero at the Plaza at El Camino with Carbon City Lights

Saturday, Oct. 5,

9 a.m.  to 4 p.m.

Colony Days Parade and Festival 

About Atascadero Colony Days

Established in 1973, Atascadero Colony Days is a cherished annual event that commemorates the founding and history of Atascadero. The event features a parade, festival, and a variety of activities that showcase the community’s unique and vibrant spirit.