Hundreds come out to celebrate annual Historic Folsom parade: ‘Jewel of the city’

Community was on the minds of the Snook family while they handed out caramel corn to hundreds of Folsom residents on Saturday morning.

The family and its more than 60-year-old business Snooks Candies & Chocolate Factory was among the roughly 70 entries to participate in the fifth annual Historic Folsom Hometown Parade. The parade, which runs down Sutter Street, included live bands, decorated floats, cowboys on horseback, vintage cars and lots of sweets handed out by marchers.

“ I love seeing the smiles on people’s faces when they see us and they know what’s coming — caramel corn,” said Grace Snook, 9.

The Snook store has been a part of the Folsom Historic District since 1984 and participated in city parades for decades, according to Alex Snook. This year, family members in the parade ranged from 3 to 63.

“I’ve participated (in parades) my whole life,” said Alex, 32, the youngest grandchild of Snook candy store founders John and Jeannie. “I was probably a little baby in the back of the truck.”

Saturday’s parade was intended to celebrate Folsom and the district that has dated to the Gold Rush era , said Judy Collinsworth, the district’s executive director. Businesses and organizations in this year’s event include Folsom Hotel Saloon, Beach Hut Deli, Willamette Wineworks, Sundance Montessori School and Folsom Times.

“There’s a lot of pride in the community for our historic district,” Collinsworth said. “It’s the jewel of the city.”

The parade also kicked off Fourth of July week, with attendees on Saturday lining Sutter Street wearing American flag attire.

Gabe and Jenna Trejo attended the parade with their three children aged 9, 7 and 2. The entire family was wearing shirts with American flags and holding mini flags.

Jenna said she buys the shirts each year from Old Navy so the family can wear them to the parade to celebrate the upcoming weekend and the Folsom community, which they’ve been a part of for 12 years.

“It’s a perfect place to raise a family,” said Gabe.

Jacob Trejo, 9, chimed in with his favorite part of Folsom and its parade.

“I like the candy,” he said.

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