So this past weekend we celebrated Labor Day weekend in the good ‘ol U.S. of A. This holiday weekend typically signals the end of summer, the start of fall and school activities, and a general wind down of simple, lazy summer days.
The town I’ve lived and grown up in has its county fair all weekend long and on Saturday the streets are literally closed off for the fair parade. This was the 111th year for all the shenanigans.
The parade, like the fair, has definitely changed a lot over the years, but then so has the town. It’s not so small anymore and some of the small town things have given way to a bigger town growth and ideas.
One thing that remains with the Saturday morning parade is the gathering of families, a relaxed fun morning and an opportunity to run into friends you might not see all the time.
Oh, not to mention hanging out at the local bakery, drinking coffee and indulging in a rare pastry 😉
The parade has it’s usual variety of local business advertisements, some actual and real parade floats, bands, dance teams, military representation, and of course a plethora of clowns.
I’ve found over time people fall into two camps with clowns.
They love them… or hate them.
Then you have grown men that speed around on things like this…. this is what scares me… well not really… not anymore as they’ve made them kinda tame down their crazy speed circles they used to do…. right at the crowds…
Ok and you only see a few pictured here… there really are like… thousands of them… in their loud lil cars, doing donuts and stuff…
Of course it’s not really a country parade without… you know….tractors….
It is worth mentioning, we actually roll up the streets like, three times a year, for parades. June is a German heritage celebration, then in December of course it’s a Christmas parade.
I will freely admit the Christmas is my most favorite. Our town is full of white lights and is so beautiful. Every entry in the parade is light covered and there’s just a fun spirit in the air.
Well, wait. Maybe that’s the kettlecorn I’m smelling. And oh my gosh, if you’ve never had it… I’m sorry…. really I am.
It’s this amazing combo of sweet and salty and I always want them to bag it for me right after it’s finished. Truthfully though, it’s always fresh as there’s a line waiting for it.
Some years the weather is the right amount of crisp, cold. Other years, you can wear shorts 😛
Gosh, hard to imagine we’ll be at that parade in a few shorts months…
Ah yes. Small town USA. Even though we’re not so really small anymore, during parades and town celebrations it still has that wonderful vibe.
And no matter what, it’s home, and everything always feels good when you’re home.
sassyfitnesschick 