(Editor’s note: this article was written in 2011, so the dates and current people/music in this year’s event are different.)
Little did anyone in the sparse crowd watching the first Tiller Day parade in 1957 realize that the event would still be happening 54 years later. They also probably never dreamed that Tustin would grow to the size it is today or that Tiller Day participation would increase proportionately.
The first parade was the brain child of Tustin News publisher Bill Moses and his ad manager Clint Caldwell. The newly reorganized Tustin Chamber of Commerce had latched onto their idea as a way of celebrating their rebirth of the chamber. The few people who came out for Tiller Days were bored by the post-summer inactivity and welcomed any new experience.
Things are different now. Everyone looks forward to being part of the crowd of thousands participating in the event, which celebrates Orange County’s agricultural heritage in addition to serving as a fundraiser for many nonprofit organizations. Committee members have become professional event managers after years of organizing the weekend. Cherrill Cady, for example, first served as a chairman in 1978. This year she is a member of the parade committee.
Sue Robishaw, chairperson of the entire weekend, is overseeing the assignments of Jonathan Boxdorfer, Cady, Barbara Guerrero, Kate Hileman, Sarah King, Donna Marsh Perry, Amy Nakamoto, Robert Reid and Carrie Woodward. Parade details are being handled by Chris and Judy Barr, Cady, Nancy Gran, Hileman, King, Cindyann North, Danielle Weber, Jay Weber and Peter Whiting.
Tiller Days grounds at Columbus Tustin Park will officially open tomorrow at 4 p.m. with activities continuing until 11 p.m. Booths will reopen from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday. There will be almost continuous music on both Saturday and Sunday. Bands scheduled to perform include Back Home Band, Don’t Stop Believin’, The Cords, Yard Sale, Elton John the Early Years, Upstream, Battle of the Bands, Woodie & the Longboards, Chris Anderson Band and Paperback Writer.
(Originally published on October 27, 2011 in the Tustin News. Reprinted with permission courtesy of Southern California News Group/The Orange County Register.)
