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Hayden — Jack Dolcey celebrated his birthday Saturday at the Hayden Daze parade.

The Craig native lives at the Haven Assisted Living Center in Hayden. He was relaxing along Jefferson Avenue in Hayden with caregiver Beccy Lanier and fellow Haven residents Patti Christlieb, Larry Marshall and Teenie Allen. Lanier had to remind him about his birthday.

"I guess they're right," Dolcey said with a smile. "I forgot all about it."

The Haven residents enjoy watching the line of floats, animals and children, Lanier said.

The parade began with the American Legion and American flags.

"Oh, I've got to stand for 'The Star-Spangled Banner,'" Allen said as the Legion men approached. The crew stood respectfully.

Scores of Hayden residents lined the streets to watch. Children gathered candy tossed from floats, which followed a "Let the Good Times Roll" theme.

The Sports Med float went a slightly different direction than others. Participants handed out bottles of water and temporary tattoos, skipping the whole candy thing. Atop the float, hula-hoopers moved their hips, and others flitted around a mockup of a jukebox and an Elvis Presley poster.

Bill Hayden announced the parade. The El Jebel Shrine from Denver and the Northwest Colorado Shrine sent a troop of members in Jeeps, in convertibles and on motorcycles.

"And, oh, here they come, it's the Hayden Town Board," Bill Hayden said. "Just kidding. It's the Shriner clowns."

Bill Hayden is a trustee on the Town Board. Several men in clown suits drove in circles, beeping their horns and waving at the crowd.

Hayden Daze started Friday evening with hamburgers from the American Legion and a street dance.

"Everybody's response has been good because the weather's been really nice," Bill Hayden said.

The festivities continue today with a breakfast from 7 to 9 a.m. at Hayden Town Park, sponsored by the Northwest Colorado Shrine and a golf tournament at 8 a.m. at Yampa Valley Golf Course in Craig.

Greg and Chris Sorrentino have lived in Hayden for a couple of years and took time out for Saturday's parade. They moved to town from northeastern Colorado. The Sorrentinos said they came to Hayden for a change.

"It's a change of pace, just a slower way of life," Greg Sorrentino said.

They also said they like the way the town works.

"It's a small-town atmosphere, and everybody kind of knows everybody," Greg Sorrentino said.

In front of Real Living Professional Group's Hayden office, Annette Hall handed out root beer floats. She figured she gave out 30 to 35 during the parade.

Hall said she's been going to Hayden Daze for about 10 years and loves it as a community event.

"I think it just brings people closer together in our little town," Hall said. "We have a fabulous community. You can't beat Hayden."