Celebrating 250 years of our Nations Independence
The Alturas Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that the 2026 Fandango Days will be a very special celebration. We will be celebrating Americas 250th year of its independence. Also, this event falls on Saturday, July 4th which makes this event in our community even that much more spectacular. By the way, the appropriate Fandango Days participation applications are now available for download by clicking here. If you are planning on entering an exhibit into the parade or would like to be a vendor at the Veteran's Memorial Park following the parade, you must fill out the necessary applications and submit them to the Alturas Chamber of Commerce office (307 South Main Street) by the due dates listed on each application.
2026 Fandango Days Grand Marshal Selected
Master Sgt. Jimmy Richardson USMC (Ret.) - Likely, California
by Harry Boulade
Military veterans have always been a critical part of our foundation and freedom that the United States was built upon for the past 250 years. Those freedoms brought many sacrifices from both men and women who served our country and have been tested time and time again through many global conflicts which today continue to weather the onslaught of crisis both at home and abroad.
For Jimmy Richardson of Likely, California, his connection to the military still echoes with pride and endless patriotism bestowed today deep within his heart and soul. He is a living testament to the strength and bravery of those who have served our country with great honor and distinction above all. In celebration of our nations 250th anniversary, the Alturas Chamber of Commerce is honored to have chosen Jimmy as our 2026 Fandango Days Grand Marshal.
Jimmy was born into this world on May 10, 1941, to Edward and Catherine (McGarva) Richardson. With his birth in the old Alturas hospital, at which time the building was painted bright white, Jimmy jokingly remembered how he contributed to a good and worthy cause by adding one more citizen to the population of Modoc County. One could say with most accuracy that his wisdom, humor and kindness began on the day he was born.
Jimmy attended South Fork Elementary School in Likely in 1947. His first teacher, as he fondly remembered without hesitation, was Lorretta Howard. His family upbringing at an early age quickly taught him the importance of hard work ethics and how to be responsible to be successful in life.
Jimmy honed his ranching and farming skills up until he was 16 years of age, having worked at the McGarva Ranch in Likely, as well as for Walter Hussa and Elmer and Lyle Cook in Cedarville. His connection to Surprise Valley was through his Aunt Alice Hicks.
"We used a different style of farming in Surprise Valley than we did in Likely", Jimmy recalled. "In Surprise Valley we used a Buck Rake, or better known as a Jitter Bug, to move loose hay in the field. Only those ranchers in Surprise Valley will know what I'm talking about", he further remembered.
On March 17, 1959, Jimmy Richardson joined the United States Marine Corp which he honorably served for 20 years until his retirement at the rank of Master Sergeant. He spent the next 10 years outside the military employed as a tactical officer at a boy's military academy in Carlsbad, California. His recognition for being kind and helping people over his career in the military did not go unrecognized. He was given a special "Meritorious Mast Award" from the Director of the 4th Marine Corp District for overall helping military and civilians through their difficult times. This all happened in Cincinnati, Ohio during the height of the Vietnam War from 1965 to 1970.
Upon completing his recruiting tour of duty, Jimmy was sent to the Vietnam war for a thirteen-month duration. In 1972 he found himself again in Vietnam when his F-4 aircraft squadron, out of Hawaii, was called upon to stem the North Vietnam soldiers coming in waves into South Vietnam.
In 2007, Jimmy's cousin, Duane McGarva, called him with the invitation to return to Likely and work on the ranch. The offer was too inviting for any retired military personnel to pass up, and as they say, the rest is history.
Today, you can find Jimmy volunteering at the monthly VFW Women's Auxiliary bingo games, making sure it is running smoothly. He is also a life member of the Veteran's of Foreign War as well as being a major contributor to the Alturas Senior Center, helping to get food commodities and keeping the center open. His quiet and friendly presence at local events continues to be recognized by his close friends and community that he has so honorably served throughout his entire life. "I was always told that you can never go back home, but I did", he said.
At age 85, Jimmy can still weave a narrative that is still laden with clear details as if it just happened yesterday. His sincere kindness and honest, warm-hearted approach to a good lifestyle was so notably recognized by the many who proudly stood before him. According to Jimmy, military life helped discipline many young men during the war, and he was one of them. When asked about what advice he would give to future generations, Jimmy gladly said, "never disgrace the family and learn to respect our country and others and their feelings."
It is with great honor and respect to have chosen Master Sgt. (Ret) Jimmy Richardson as the 2026 Alturas Chamber of Commerce Fandango Day's Grand Marshal, in celebration of our nation's 250th year anniversary as well as the 150th year since the official naming of Alturas in 1876. Your country as well as your community honorably salute you Jimmy in recognition of your patriotism and service to our country. It did not go unnoticed.
