Indio hosts Riverside County President’s Day Grand Parade

Residents were lined up along the streets of Indio for this year's Riverside County President's Day Grand Parade.

Dancers, horses, and vehicles traveled down Indio, starting off in the downtown area and finishing near the Riverside County Fairgrounds.

Los Angeles Dodgers legend and Coachella Valley resident Steve Garvey served as the grand marshall for this year's parade.

This year's parade happened in place of the usual Date Festival Parade which was canceled last year due to the pandemic.

Janice Shephard watched the parade with both her daughter and 5-year-old granddaughter.

"I came out to see my granddaughter's reaction to everything and to build more memories with her. I did this with our three children," said Shephard. "To see the world through their eyes- through the granddaughter's eyes now is just priceless."

For others, the parade marked a closing of a chapter. Coachella Valley High School senior Serra Rojas danced for the last time in the parade. 

"I just wanted to go with high energy, make everybody happy at the end, and just give it my fullest," said Rojas.

Even though the Date Festival Parade was canceled and this year's parade looks a little different, many people made sure to make the most of it.

"We've had to give up a lot in the last two years and now we're getting to come back and it's all the more special," said Shephard.