parades, fire trucks, and squirt guns

[oxysback]

I posted about our neighboring town's parade in the July 4th rides thread. I thought about sharing pictures, but I was in a hurry and didn't have time to resize them.

I figured I'd share them now for those of you that don't have hometown parades to go to. I think it really is a slice of Americana.

This particular parade is heavy on the horses...and I love horses, so that's what most of the pictures are of.

Here's the beginning of the parade...




Then we're on to the horses. Usually the first entries are the colorguard, sherriff's posse, and all the rodeo queens and their courts from the surrounding areas. I noticed an unusually high amount of palomino's this year, and they were beautiful!










Here's the adult band playing a march...





I thought this horse with overalls was cute...





This was a spectacular looking paint! I wish I had gotten the whole horse.





Vaulting anyone? Good thing the horse was 'bomb proof'!





A nice looking appaloosa mare and her foal...





A caballero and his friesian...





There were also antique tractors and restored cars...







A girl and her unicorn...





"When I grow up I want to be a rodeo queen's horse!"





The littlest bronc riders...





That's all, folks. Hope you enjoyed it!

[Zen]

I sure did, thanks!

I like how the gentlemen all removed their hats when the flag went by And all the horses were so beautiful.

What a great parade.

[uforgot]

We have the annual Belle Fair coming up next week. Huge parade, (for us). Police cars, fire trucks, floats, horses, kids on bikes and our marching band. Every church, business and organization has a float. The people around here put out lawn chairs early to mark "their spot" along the parade route and no one messes with them. Not only a parade, but rides, cattle showings, John Deere kiddie tractor pull, large tractor pull, demolition derby, a Belle Fair queen (who goes on to the Mo. State fair pageant), Little Mr. and Miss, and two nights of entertainment on the main stage. This year it WAS Billy Currington, but he has laryngitis so now it's Black Hawk. Instead of the weather, everyone now says "are you ready for the fair?". I live by the park, so if anyone wants to attend, you can park in my driveway, parking is at a premium.

Just for the record: I used to be the band director here, and if anyone had shot one of my band members with a squirt gun, I would have come unglued. If you will watch, the members of any marching band cannot talk, wave or mess around. Eyes front. Besides, ever purchase a band instrument? Dousing those expensive things with water is NOT a good idea!

[bmccasland]

Thanks for posting the pictures Oxysback! You make me homesick for the west! Really really homesick....

[oxysback]

Thanks for posting the pictures Oxysback! You make me homesick for the west! Really really homesick....

Awww...glad you liked them!