For years, our family has been attending the 4th of July Parade in Sugar Creek, MO--- a small "big city" town. This little area is surrounded by Kansas City and Independence.
This year the weather was SPLENDID!! No rain---no extreme heat---clear blue skies---no strong winds. Just a perfect day----for a parade.
The parade is held on the main street of the town. Folks from all over line the route to get an up close view of the action. . . . and the action is always there!
It's always an honor to have our Veterans represented . God bless them all for their help in continuing to maintain our liberties.
We always have lots of politicians and political candidates represented! They LOVE parades!
I am in one of my stances for capturing the perfect parade shots! This is the "flamingo pose". I have been known to stand perfectly balanced on one foot for several minutes---it allows me to sway easily in a number of directions in order the capture even the most difficult of shots.
Lots of John Deere tractors shared the day with us!!!
More Deeres. (Should that be Deere---"more Deere"---is "Deere" the singular and plural?---heck, you know I mean more than one green tractor.)
This is my grand dog's, Izzie, first parade. She howled at the sirens!
Another photographic stance---"the braced pose"---always ready to bail out in case one of the entries should go a little awry and jump the curb!
We always have LOTS of Shriners represented in our parade. Here are "Musical Shriners",
Followed by "Segway Shriners"!
"Mini-vintage Car Shriners"!
"Race car Shriners".
Shriners have fun AND they do very good deeds! Thank you for being a big part of our 4th every year!
While there was a lull in the Shriner entries, Laura (L), Bonnie and I posed for a little photo! We like to dress thematically. :-) This was Laura's first year to attend the parade---next year she will need to get her Walmart flag shirt like Bonnie and I did!
There are always a gazillion vintage cars, too. I love Mustangs from this era. I learned to drive in my in-laws 67 (I think) Mustang---this very color. They were generous folks to turn me loose in such a "sweet ride". That was a great summer---ah, the memories vintage cars can jar.
I'm pretty much a "van gal" at this stage of my life, but this car is one I would've loved to own some years back. They don't do well, however, for antiquing, flea marketing, hauling product and display items to sales, groceries of any quantity. . . . basically my lifestyle isn't a good fit. But, they do look great in parades and they cause a lot of spectators to drool!
This fellow is a mainstay at this parade. He mingles with the crowd and scares the bee-jeebers out of small kiddos! Ah, the 4th!
This would be the "street pose", as I was standing in the street ---in the path--- of a few tractors, while sacrificing life and limb for a good shot.
Behind the tractors were the "heavy duty" boys! I don't recall these big guys in the parade before, but they were impressive.
Izzie met a few pugs.
Laura blew a few bubbles.
This is my "Persistent Pose". By this time, folks were begging me to "put the camera down", but I kept telling them "I'M A BLOGGER-----IT'S MY JOB TO TAKE PICTURES OF EVERYTHING I DO AND EVERYONE I KNOW!" Unfortunately, most of my friends and family members are "Blog-aphobics" and don't want to be included in my posts!! (Can you imagine?) I still take their photos anyway--it makes them think twice about being mean to me---they know I have the power of the pen! (and I have a camera and a blog!!)
After the parade, we go to a local park for a huge cookout and pot luck. This shows the table we fill up with some of the best summer dishes ever!
This post-parade gathering was held in Marian's backyard for years until moving it to the park. She's always the thrifty hostess and decided to add a few leftover Halloween plates to the stack this year! I believe a new July 4th tradition was started, Marian!!
My first plate of food----ooh, I am getting hungry just looking at the feast.
I love it when someone makes a Flag Cake!!!
Putting up our feet after the feast!
My husband and I have been the official 4th of July photographers "of sorts" for years. Marian is so great to take some of the photos of each year and arrange them in albums. I believe she has made two albums to date.
We all love to take turns looking over the photos that captured the moments of previous 4ths. . . . .to see how much the kids have grown, how many new kiddos have been born over the years, to honor those no longer with us, to see the changes in all of our appearances, the fun stuff we did, the food we ate, the weather conditions----thank you Marian for your time spent in keeping the photographic record of this anticipated event.
We take a group shot every year. The picnickers moan and groan as we make them assemble, squish in, squat, turn, etc. in order to get everyone in the shot. However, they love to see that picture in the book each year. As I was looking at the people in the photograph for July 4, 2008, I counted 42. (and one dog). Quite a crowd.
It was the perfect Independence Day. Glorious weather, terrific parade, awesome food, and wonderful friends and family.
Thank you, members of our military for keeping us safe so we could celebrate this day.
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It was late in the afternoon when we arrived back home and this was the sight waiting for us.
It seems THE STONE RABBIT and a few of his friends (Curly, Floppy and the Concrete Birds) were lining up for a little July 4th Parade of their very own!
We sat our lawn chairs out in the yard and watched them parade back and forth on the decorative retaining wall - - - -for almost thirty minutes. They were really into it---flags waving and all---but we were pretty tired from our big day and told them we needed to go inside and take a nap.
I think they took their little parade down the cul de sac before returning home and hopping back to their little yard spots. I did hear them talk excitedly about maybe doing that again next year and perhaps finding some more entries.
Dana
I love parades! Yum, the pot luck dinner looks delish too.
That "Stone Rabbit", he's a ham indeed!
Jill xoo
Posted by: Jill | July 08, 2008 at 04:12 PM
Izzie looks like a lot of fun! Love the snap of Izzie howling!
Posted by: Joy | July 08, 2008 at 06:44 PM
I just love John Deere(s) in a parade! What a fun looking 4th of July celebration! The food looked absolutely delicious...don't you just love a potluck!?!
Have a great day!
Kim
Posted by: Kim V | July 08, 2008 at 07:15 PM
Hi Dana... It was so nice of you to stop by and visit my lil blog! I really appreciated your kind comments. I was sad to hear of your friend and her lil girl that is struggling with Austism. It truly is an ugly beast ~sigh~ But, there are so many doors opening for these precious children and their families. I was glad to learn that you'll be passing my blog address along to her and I'll pray for her and her sweet lil girl. How wonderful that you gave 20 years of your life teaching and working with these very special children. I did quite a bit of volunteer work at the Autistic School my son attended for the first six years of his education. Ohhhhh Lordieeee! The amazing, funny, touching memories I have tucked away in my heart. No regrets at all for having done it! And how exciting for your former student and his Graduation! It is truly a blessing beyond words to see such successes. Again, I'm so glad you found me via Tracie's Petite Maison ~ She is such a sweet lady, isn't she?! My door is always open and if you or your friend ever need anything and I can, I would be honored to help out. Do take special care. God Bless...
~hugs~
Pearl
Posted by: Pearl | July 08, 2008 at 08:14 PM
Oooooooooooops! Please forgive me... I had wanted to comment on your blog! I so enjoyed your post on the holiday parade. Sure looked like y'all had an awesome time and I especially loved your Grand~Dog and seeing that her Human has a pretty PINK leash for her! ~smiles~ In our home, we are owned by two cats and four ferrets! LOL ...yes, we are a wee bit crazy! Alright, enough of my ramblings...
~blessings~
Pearl
Posted by: Pearl | July 08, 2008 at 08:18 PM
looks like you had a great 4th of July! Funny, looking at all of your pic, I would of thought you were at the same parade I was in Arlington, Tx. :) xoxo, Joanna
Posted by: Joanna {sweet finds} | July 08, 2008 at 09:19 PM
Your 4th of July parade looks like so much fun Dana! You had nicer weather than we had here. I always buy a flag shirt at the "Old Navy" store :-)
I love flag cakes too, and the pot luck looks yummy!
Glad the Stone Rabbit was able to have his own parade! :-)
Hugs, Pat
Posted by: Pat | July 09, 2008 at 08:06 AM
Hi Dana,
Thanks so much for the award. I was surprised and delighted. Sorry it took me so long to post it; it seems like there's never enough time for work (nasty four letter word!), family and blogging. Hugs, Laura
Posted by: Laura | July 09, 2008 at 08:09 AM
Hi Dana~Thanks for hopping on over to my blog~ Yeah we knew we wouldn't find any real treasure with the metal detector but it was fun making up stories about the rusty things we found. We, also, found a Badger den...thank goodness it was empty at the time! Looking forward to seeing what's happening with the Stone Rabbit soon!
Kim
Posted by: Kim V | July 09, 2008 at 09:31 AM
Dana, you have no idea how much it helped me to read this fun post. You always guarantee me a smile. And, I so needed a smile today.
Thank you for just being you - because I think you are great.
Theodore said to tell TSR that he will be at the parade in spirit.
Posted by: Beverly | July 09, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Dana, you have no idea how much it helped me to read this fun post. You always guarantee me a smile. And, I so needed a smile today.
Thank you for just being you - because I think you are great.
Theodore said to tell TSR that he will be at the parade in spirit.
Posted by: Beverly | July 09, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Dana, you have no idea how much it helped me to read this fun post. You always guarantee me a smile. And, I so needed a smile today.
Thank you for just being you - because I think you are great.
Theodore said to tell TSR that he will be at the parade in spirit.
Posted by: Beverly | July 09, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Well....you owe me $$$ for the time I spend on your blog and parts beyond. I should have been working (creating) but am being entertained instead. I seem to be living vicariously through your blog (the only way I was able to see the parade). Thanks ever so much. See you after Atlanta. Sharleen
Posted by: sharleen | July 09, 2008 at 02:44 PM
In a nutshell, what a great day we had, great parade, great food and great friends!!
Bonnie
Posted by: Bonnie | July 09, 2008 at 08:29 PM
Oh, I just had the best time reading about your Fourth of July parade and picnic. Your blog really made me laugh out loud...I almost bought that very same Walmart flag shirt but passed it up for a red and white stripe to go with my denim capri's - -(next year I'll go with the flag shirt! :-))
Thanks for stopping by my blog and your encouraging comments...I'm going to be shopping for a camera soon so I can take some pictures to share!
~Jean
Posted by: Jean | July 11, 2008 at 07:57 PM
Hi Dana :)
Your parade is great! Your commentary is even better :)
rue
Posted by: rue | July 12, 2008 at 08:21 AM
Maybe next year we'll check out this parade. My daughter was so disappointed there was no parade here. She did get over quickly as she got to do the pool, bbq, and fireworks.
I'm working on my tag.
LA
Posted by: Leigh Ann | July 12, 2008 at 12:06 PM