Central Avenue Comes Alive With Los Alamos County Fair & Rodeo Parade

Barbara Jean Hillhouse Wilson, Los Alamos County Rodeo Queen in 1956, was in the parade again Saturday morning. Back in 1956, she rode on a horse named Tony that was given to her by a college friend. Tony did tricks including bowing and calk walking. Barbara Jean did a demo of Tony and his tricks during the rodeo on 195. She participated in the parades in Espanola and Santa Fe. She was in charge of the ribbons for the county horse show that year. Barbara Jean taught Elementary School in Los Alamos from 1957-1982. She taught 4-6th grades at Mesa and at Canyon Elementary school. Georgia Strickfadden was one of her students! She retired from teaching when she had twins. Sadly, she no longer has her crown; it was stolen in a house robbery in California. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

Lisa Reader, left, and Diane Wilburn accompany Barbara Jean Hillhouse Wilson, the very first Los Alamos County Rodeo Queen in 1956. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

Retired Secretary of Education and former Los Alamos Public Schools Supt. Kurt Steinhaus served as Grand Marshal for Saturday’s Los Alamos County Fair & Rodeo Parade. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

Kirsten Nielsen, a visitor from Denmark, captured much of the parade on her phone while chatting with the Los Alamos Reporter. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

This year’s judges were from left, Hunter McDaniel, Founder/CEO of UbiQD, Inc., County Councilor, Suzie Havemann and L.A. Bootery and Mesa Top Games and Toys owner Carolyn Cowan. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

The color guard from Los Alamos High School NJROTC program. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

Scene from Saturday’s Los Alamos County Fair & Rodeo Parade on Central Avenue. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

American Legion Post 90 Auxiliary members in Saturday’s parade. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

Los Alamos Public Schools Board member, left, joins Supt. Jennifer Guy and Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation Board President Judy McKenzie. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

The Rotary Club of Los Alamos float in Saturday’s parade. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalaosreporter.com

Lots of local scouts in the Los Alamos County Fair & Rodeo Saturday on Central Avenue. Photo by Mare O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

The Republican Party of Los Alamos group walking in Saturday’s parade. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

The Lemonade Living in Saturday’s parade on Central Avenue. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

Libertarian Laura Burrows walks her miniature pony in Saturday’s Los Alamos County Fair & Rodeo Parade. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

Los Alamos County Councilor David Reagor passes out candy and other stuff for kids during Saturday’s parade on Central Avenue. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

The Los Alamos Shrine Club’s bus in Saturday’s parade on Central Avenue. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

The Shriners are always a big hit in local parades. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

The Democratic Party of Los Alamos members walk in Saturday’s Los Alamos County Fair & Rodeo Parade. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

District 5 State Sen. Leo Jaramillo walked Saturday in the Los Alamos County Fair Rodeo Parade. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

Members of the High Country Team 4-H in Saturday’s Los Alamos County Fair & Rodeo Parade on Central Avenue. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

The League of Women Voters of Los Alamos group walks in Saturday’s parade on Central Avenue. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

League of Women Voters members have fun walking in the Los Alamos County Fair & Rodeo Parade Saturday. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

Rebecca Shankland, left, and Wendy Swanson Saturday with the League of Women Voters entry in the parade. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com