Who loves a parade?

Published July 8, 2009

Personally, I do not love a parade.  I’ve never understood the allure.  I abhor crowds, waiting around, long lines, parking hassles, traffic, etc.  But clearly lots of people don’t mind all of that if it means watching or participating in a parade.  Dressing up in strange outfits for reasons that seem (in many cases) far removed from the reason for the holiday is a mystery to me.  I had to wonder what this little girl was thinking about the whole thing.  I knew her pain.

But occasionally I get over my grumpy self and am persuaded to attend one of these events.   This year when I found out Olivia was going to be marching and playing her trumpet in the Sierra Madre 4th of July Parade, I was eager to go.  I don’t get to see her often enough, and I understand (as few do) what this meant for her as I used to play trumpet in various school bands.  I know what it’s like to be out in the summer heat keeping that horn up while water pours down your face.

So I took a few snapshots.   I realize that I’m a little late with this post, but in case you didn’t make it to a small town parade this year, I’ve decided to share pix from mine.

One of the major activities and draws for many at this parade seems to be water guns.  That and the noise poppers (firecrackers are a no-no in water-scarce CA) were big hits.

In my mind no 4th of July parade would be complete without the Stars And Stripes Forever by John Phillips Sousa.  This is the classic 4th of July band tune.  A song close to my heart, but one that I never imagined I would hear Olivia play.  OK, maybe The Gooden School Band didn’t sound quite like the Sousa Orchestra, but they did a fine job.

It was actually a lot of fun.

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