Springtime Parade

Springtime is a big deal here. We have a big festival and a parade and a 5K run. Some years, we have a float in the parade and others we have a booth downtown. This year, it was a float (which turned out to be a very good thing!).

Storm clouds churned over head, wind blew but still the hardy souls arrived for the parade. We were near the end of the parade and had a really nice big float. There was a large flat area up front and then stadium-like stairs rising up in the back.

There was LOTS of waiting around. Lucky for us, we were right in front of a bagel place with great bagels, hot coffee, and a long bathroom line.

The wind blew pretty hard, causing people to make some pretty strange faces... We also spent that time getting our costumes on the volunteers who were mostly people's early teen kids. They had no idea what they were getting into. As a veteran of three of those costumes, I can tell you that they are HOT, you are blind, and you sure can't move around well.

In fact, you need A LOT of help to get around - and SuperWhy had to climb to the top of the stadium stairs!

ZBoy and his friend Josh hung out with DOG (from Word World). I have to say, I was very impressed with the kid in that costume. A real trouper, that one. He danced and waved and had a great time.

The crowds weren't as big as in years past. I suppose being under a tornado watch and having big storms in the area dampened their enthusiasm a bit, but the people who did show up were great!

There's lots of building going on downtown. Old buildings torn down and new condo/business buildings going up. The construction workers hanging out on the scaffolding with their beads and waving were probably my favorite. Or maybe it was the cops with the beads...

The rain held off until we were done. Then I got my body home, put ice on my back and actually fell asleep for a while.