

Big Bear Lake, CA, June 13, 2013 – San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputy Alex Collins will be Grand Marshall in this Saturday’s Big Bear Heritage Parade. The parade is presented by the Old Miners Association, which is celebrating 65 years of festivities.
This year’s theme is “Big Bear Thanks You,” to show gratitude for the law enforcement officers, first responders and military personnel who protected our community during the February 2013 Christopher Dorner incident.
Deputy Collins has been with the Big Bear Sheriff’s Station since 2008, and despite being on family leave at the time to welcome the birth of his son, he returned to duty to help his fellow officers. He was shot multiple times during the February 12 standoff, and after several surgeries is now on the road to recovery.
San Bernardino County Sheriff John McMahon will also participate, riding with the Sheriff’s Rangers Mounted Posse.
The day begins with a pre-parade reception hosted by Bear Mountain at 11:00 a.m., and the public is welcome to stop by and pay their respects to the men and women of our military. A noon ceremony will be held in memory of fallen officer Deputy Jeremiah MacKay. The reception will also feature food; the posting of colors by an All-Service Color Guard at noon; remarks from military representatives and local officials; and the display of MRAPs, Humvees with machine guns, Sheriff’s Department tactical gear, a Coast Guard Flotilla boat, fire rigs and community outreach groups.
Following the “Big Bear Thanks You” reception, the Big Bear Heritage Parade will begin at 4:00 p.m. at China Garden Road then proceed west down Big Bear Boulevard to Georgia Street.
The Big Bear Cycling Association is looking for 100 cyclists to participate in the parade. To sign up, call (909) 238-0875.
For more information, visit http://www.oldminers.org.