Sunday, May 26, 2013

Sparky Loves a Parade!

Even if it is short! Like about 20 minutes.....Lakewood Ranch had their Memorial Day parade today and everybody was ready....We were, too!
We didn't know what to expect...It started on time, and finished in record time!  They say it keeps getting bigger every year, we hope it gets bigger each year, too! There was one band, with one set of pom pom girls....

A WWII vet which was nice to see....They are becoming fewer and fewer.....

The kids and their bikes reminded Sparky of when she and her brothers used to decorate their bikes back in the fifties....One kid had a scooter and we think it was powered! What's this younger generation coming to, anyway?

What's happening to the older generation for that matter!? It takes a real man to wear this headgear!

As always, there were cute kids. This little girl was dancing for her dad's video as they played Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the U.S.A." over the loudspeaker system......

There was a big pirate ship float with guys dressed like Spanish conquistadors.....
A beauty queen......

And Captain Colton was there, in his Blue Angels jet....

There were some bagpipers,  a Sparky favorite....Something about the sound of bagpipes is so inspirational and moving....

This little guy looked the part of a bored cowboy....He'll probably grow up with a toothpick hanging out of his mouth, slim jeans and cool cowboy boots on....Or not.....

Even though it was a short parade....we enjoyed it...

There was a little bit of excitement as well. Some woman wielding a beer can was threatening enough to the parade participants that she came running by us following by three security guys chasing in pursuit. Don't know what the problem was, but they ended up catching up with her and restraining her...She ended up crying at the side of the curb while police were called. One guy finally got her calmed down. Maybe she had some kind of political agenda on her mind, but this just wasn't the place to reveal that!

Happy Memorial Day everyone! Thank a veteran...Sparky is thanking her daughter who is an Iraqi vet, who chose to join the military and serve her country...So proud of our children who serve...There are many of us bloggers out there who have sons and daughters in the military. Thank you, soldiers, for your service!
The end

4 comments:

  1. Even a short parade is better than no parade always lots of fun!

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  2. I love parades too. Couldn't find one to take our grandsons to here in Southern California other than Disneyland--which we didn't do! Great job capturing this little slice of Americana and thanks for the important reminder to honor our veterans on this day.

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  3. I love parades too! And bagpipes :) We were the parade of many filing out of the state park today. Didn't really celebrate Memorial Day in the traditional way at all!

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  4. LOVE your take on the bored little cowboy. I'd bet you are right on. Nice the end shot! And you even picked a bald man :-))

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