126th annual Cloverdale Citrus Fair marks another year and change of guard

The Cloverdale Citrus Fair marked its 126th year with a strong crowd of several thousand on Saturday and a swan song for its longtime outgoing chief executive, Bonnie Wlodarczyk, who is retiring in March.

The sound of whirling of carnival rides and chattering families filled the office of Wlodarczyk, who for 18 years has headed the annual winter fair and parade that celebrates Cloverdale’s history as the Orange Belt of Sonoma County.

The four-day celebration, which runs through Monday, was expected to draw a total of about 17,000 guests - nearly twice the population of its host city.

“This is one of the oldest fairs in California. It’s rich in history and tradition,” said ?incoming Citrus Fair CEO Katie Young, the former deputy manager of the Sonoma County Fair. “I’m happy to be a part of it.”

The event is put on by a full-time staff of three and hundreds of volunteers. “The entire community is involved in some way or another,” Wlodarczyk said.

The occasional winter frost in northern Sonoma County ultimately made Cloverdale a rough spot to grow the commercial orange and lemon industry, which went bust here in the early 20th century. But the fruit is still grown in the yards of many residents and adorns booths and displays around the fairgrounds.

Saturday’s festivities kicked off with an ?11 a.m. parade watched by thousands along North Cloverdale Boulevard. The procession featured Cloverdale politicians, civil servants, civic organizations and veterans groups. Two Cloverdale police SUVs led the parade buzzing and whooping their sirens. Cloverdale firefighters followed and received cheers down the three-block stretch for their work protecting the city during the October fires, which burned east of town.

Children on the sidelines were showered with candy by parade participants. To parents’ relief, there were healthier treats as well: Four adults dressed as oranges and lemons handed out oranges along the parade route.

State Sen. Mike McGuire, D-Healdsburg, attempted to shake just about every hand he could while walking down North Cloverdale Boulevard. Assemblyman Jim Wood, D-Healdsburg, waved from the driver’s seat of his Jeep.

The hourlong parade ended with a procession of two dozen dancing horses.

In the fairgrounds afterwards, Cloverdale resident Chris Cutchall, his toddler son in tow, and Cutchall’s father-in-law, Jack Dawson, pastor of United Church of Cloverdale, said the Citrus Fair is an event they look forward to every year. Last year, Dawson led the opening prayer.

Dawson was aware of Wlodarczyk’s retirement, but said the fair will do just fine. It’s a community institution, he said.

And with that, the three-generation trio from Cloverdale were off to test the teacups ride.

You can reach Staff Writer Nick Rahaim at 707-521-5203 or nick.rahaim@pressdemocrat.com. ?On Twitter @nrahaim.