On August 7, the Rotary Clubs of Group 8 made history in a parade that celebrates history.
 
The clubs' entry into Santa Barbara's annual El Desfile Historico hosted the first real wedding on a float during the Old Spanish Days (AKA Fiesta) parade.
 
Lindsay Muse and James Reichlen said their I dos along Cabrillo Boulevard aboard a flower-adorned re-creation of the Santa Barbara Courthouse and Sunken Gardens.   
 
Walt Stephens designed and managed the construction of the float, which inspired other Rotarians to make the most of Fiesta's 2015 Romantica theme. The vision for the float included re-enacting a wedding. Steve Kally joked that it should be a real wedding. Liz Alves asked, "Could we?" David Velarde said, "Yes." (Scott Burns checked with the Fiesta leadership, who also said yes. He is also credited with getting permission to display the Rotary wheel on the float.)
 
The proposed idea turned into a wedding proposal in less than a week. At the same time dozens of Rotarians contributed to the construction and decoration of the float. Thank you to everyone who helped create the float, spread the word, and cheer during the parade.
 
On parade day, the wedding was attend by the couple's officiant, two friends, the groom's mother, District Governor Jim Bell, Past District Governor Wade Nomura, Rotarians David Velarde, Michelle Velarde, Kim Bish, and Liz Alves, as well as Boris Alves and Rose. 
 
The wedding was covered by numerous media outlets, including KJEE, KCLU, the News-Press, Noozhawk, EdHat, and Lisa.fm. A photographer from the Independent followed the float the entire parade route. See some sample coverage below. 
 
"I think the Group 8 Rotary Rotarians  can be proud to display the Rotary Wheel on our float today that will be viewed by the thousands of visitors along the parade route and on TV," Walt Stephens said. "For Rotary to grow, we must promote it to large markets."