Vicini and the familiar fire truck to head the parade

What: 34th annual Hangtown Christmas Parade

Who: The McIntire family

Where: Broadway and Main Street in Placerville

When: Sunday, Dec. 4, starting at 1 p.m. rain or shine

Cost: Parade watchers are encouraged to bring a new unwrapped toy for Marine Corps Toys for Tots

Information: El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce at 530-621-5885

Gordon Vicini looks at his 1937 American LaFrance fire truck with pride.

The fire truck has been part of the Vicini family since 1953 when his father, Joe Vicini, purchased it from the Oakland Fire Department. Over the years Joe modified the truck so that it could be used for various functions such as parades.

"It had a shorter wheel base and he extended it," recalled Gordon.

Joe Vicini extended the rear of the truck that allowed for seated benches to be installed in place of where firefighters would stand en route to fires during the truck's working years.

"There just wasn't enough room for passengers," Gordon said. "So he extended it about 15 feet so he could carry more people. We could have as many as 70 people hanging on the side of this thing."

Big honor

On Sunday, Dec. 4, members of the Vicini family will be riding on the LaFrance in the 34th annual Hangtown Christmas Parade. Gordon Vicini, 66, will serve as the grand marshal for this year's parade.

The Christmas Parade starts at 1 p.m. rain or shine.

"I'm a little humbled," said Vicini, "It's an honor."

The parade is presented by the McIntire family and according to Jim McIntire, his daughter Cathy McIntire-Patterson came up with the idea of having Vicini as this year's grand marshal.

She wanted to recognize the many contributions that Vicini has made to El Dorado County.

Major supporter

"One of the big reasons that I thought of Gordon is for all of his activities he's done for the community. Specifically the Boys and Girls Clubs. He's a major supporter of the Boys and Girls Clubs and is always getting all the businesses and all his friends to help with the Boys and Girls Clubs. My kids went through the Boys and Girls Clubs; it's a wonderful program for the kids," McIntire-Patterson said.

"He's one of those guys who is ready and willing to help at any function. He's your go-to guy if you need anything in the community. We wanted to honor him because he's been such a significant philanthropist in this community," McIntire-Patterson added.

Vicini said that the truck has been in the parade for most of the 33 years with rain contributing to the absences.

Fortunately weather forecasters are calling for sunny skies on Sunday with some high clouds and temperatures in the low 60s.

Born and raised in Placerville

Vicini was born and raised in Placerville. The owner of Joe Vicini Inc., which is a general engineering company, Vicini left the area toward the end of  the 1960s to the early 1970s to serve in the U.S. Navy in the Vietnam War.

After the war ended, he returned to work for the family business. His mother passed away in 1980 and his father, Joe Vicini, who moved to El Dorado County from Amador County in 1940, passed away in 1982.

"I've worked for three people: My father and mother, and Uncle Sam," Vicini said. "We are into our sixth generation now. I've seen a lot of changes."

One thing that hasn't changed is the business' address; it has been located at 315 Placerville Drive in Placerville since 1948.

Another thing that hasn't changed is the positive spirit the Christmas parade generates each year.

"The parade is good for the community," Vicini said.

People from El Dorado Hills to as far west as San Francisco have made the trek to Placerville to see the parade.

"It kind of gets you into the spirit (of Christmas)," Vicini said. "It's a unique parade. I like to give back to the community as much as I can and I always like to participate in the parade."

The parade route starts at the intersection of Schnell School Road and Broadway at the Grocery Outlet parking lot. The parade will make its down Broadway and Main Street and will end at Sacramento Street.

Admission is free, but parade watchers are strongly encouraged to bring a new unwrapped toy to donate to the Marine Corps Toys for Tots.

Lots of entries

There are about 80 entries for this year's parade, according to McIntire-Patterson. Each parade entrant is also asked to bring one unwrapped new toy for Toys for Tots.

"We have been doing that for the last 20 years," McIntire-Patterson said.

Last year, more than 500 toys were donated. That's not counting the Toys On The Rocks group that donated more than 30 new bicycles.

The McIntire family is dedicating this year's parade to Sharon Marie McIntire, who passed away earlier this year to breast cancer. The younger McIntire was in the Marines, which are involved in Toys for Tots.

"That inspired us to do the Toys for Tots," said McIntire-Patterson.

McIntire family 

The McIntire family which owned Goodyear Tire Center, which is now Les Schwab Tire and runs Hangtown Travel. Jim McIntire owned Goodyear for 44 years while the family has been running Hangtown Travel for 37 years.

Many people to thank

The McIntires thank the many people who are volunteering their time to help make this year's parade another successful one. This includes the quartet of J. Stirling, Jill Baker, Candice Bernardi and Kim Nida.

Each has contributed toward the parade with volunteers duties ranging from office work to setting up meetings to working with the Placerville Police Department in coordinating the event.

The McIntires feel honored to hold the parade that brings smiles and welcomes the Christmas spirit for many people.

"It's been our honor to do this for the community because it gives back to us more than we put out," McIntire-Patterson said.

For more information about the parade, contract El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce at 530-621-5885.

E-mail Mike Bush at mbush@mtdemocrat.net or call 530-344-5071.