Hello Friends!
Hope you had a good weekend. I look forward to this weekend every year because I love the Fourth of July Parade in Prattville. It makes me feel like things are right with the world - it is a bit old fashioned, a bit innocent, a bit quirky (actually a whole lot quirky), and a lot of fun. Anyone can be in the parade as long as you remotely look patriotic. My kids used to ride their bikes in the parade when they were younger. I thought I would share a few pictures.
The mayor and City Council had one of the first floats (by the way all the floats and cars throw candy, necklaces, and toys so the people watching are all paying close attention so they can catch the good stuff). Notice how the floats are really just trailers with a few decorations.
This was one of my favorites - it was the sanitation department and they had all their candy in a toilet on the top of the truck - lol! I am pretty sure it was tootsie rolls - lol again!
The local judge - isn't she pretty?
She also had a float following her.
The District Attorney didn't want to be outdone.
Neither did the Sheriff....
One of the local volunteer fire departments.
The swim team blowing bubbles.
One of the local State Championship little league teams.
The girls won state champs too! My niece is in the red and her daughter is the second from the right. My neice was one of the coaches.
There were the required beauty queens - this was just one of many cars full of beauty queens.
The old car club had a lot of old vehicles in the parade.
And an old jeep.
Lots of mustangs - the whole club was in the parade.
Some people just had wagons.
Some had golf carts.
Some people dressed up as revolutionary war characters.
Some walked and some rode scooters.
Some brought their dogs.
Some rode motorcyles.
Some rode their bikes.
And the local POPs group played.
I know it was a lot of pictures and I only included a fraction of them. I wanted you to get a feel for how fun it is as you never know what is coming next. We had full bags of candy, beads, and toys when we left.
I had today off and ended the day with a glass of wine - my ticket into
Elizabeth's T is for Tuesday Linky Party. Notice my book pile next to the glass: my bible, an Avenger's book my Grandson has me read him all the time, and the Mysterous Benedict Society. My Grandson picked out the MBS book for me - he said he knew I would like it because it had a haunted house on the cover. It was a book for a younger audience, but I loved it!
Happy T-Day friends!
Hugz,
Morning Nancy, loved all the pictures of the parade, our son joined a friend of 150 vintage cars on July 4 th, he said all the neighbour came out to sit on their front gardens to watch and wave flags.
ReplyDeleteThe Spanish love a good parade, young and old they love to dress up. I had a spell of reading endless books but I’ve not been in the mood for the last few weeks, I think it’s the heat, makes me too sleepy reading.
Happy T Day
Sending hugs, jan
What a fun parade!!!! And yes, your judge is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteCool cars and... oh, WOW, great parade, it looks like big fun!
If you ask me... more pics would´ve been welcomed.
An Elephant-wine-glass! Funny - happy T-Day!
The parade in your town is fabulous, so much to see, and love that all join in, that's great! Lovely vintage cars, too. I don't know if the parades for our town festival will be taking place this year. Hope you enjoyed your wine. Happy T Day, hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeleteLove all of the photos Nancy and looks fun. It reminds me of the village fairs in the UK and when they have floats. We have them here but usually for Xmas and the Pride Parade lol. I like the idea of lollies (candy) being thrown…I would be there to catch lol. I used to read 4-5 books a month when I was in a book club. I’ve neglected reading for a couple of years but got back into it a few months ago. I will read any genre. The MBS book sounds fun. Thanks for sharing. Happy Tuesday and hugs jx
ReplyDeleteOur town Ann Arbor, Michigan, has parades like that with the municipal departments and political candidates and clubs (even Jazzercize ladies), but this year we opted for the neighborhood parade of kids on bikes. This year one police car and two fire engines joined the kids on bikes which was great!
ReplyDeletebest...mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Hubby will love the motorbike picture! His bike came from USA and as well as English plates, still has the American ones. Our Carnivals aren't as good as they were when my kiddies were little. Too many rules, so much you're not allowed to do now because of Health and safety! I can remember (years ago) riding through the town on a pony, me as an Indian complete with warpaint, a real bow and arrows, no saddle, no proper hat, no shoes and my friend was the cowboy.(I got a first!) Don't think that would be allowed now unless I was insured! But what fabulous pictures you have! And how lovely that all could join in! Have you added them to an album? Stay safe. Happy Tea day! ((Lyn))
ReplyDeleteIt looks like everyone had a great time at the Parade Nancy, we do a similar thing over in the UK but ours are called carnivals, they don't have the patriotic theme but everyone dresses up and decorate trailers, there are marching bands and the emergency vehicles all take part - it's great fun especially for the children.
ReplyDeletePauline - Crafting with Cotnob
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That is an example of small towns in the states. Big towns and cities don't seem to do that. I felt the patriotism your beautiful photos conveyed. I know there was much pride in this parade, along with candy and beads, of course!
ReplyDeleteYour wine glass is beautiful. The elephants are so pretty around the top. Thanks for sharing your incredible Independence Day parade photos and your lovely glass of white wine with us for T this Tuesday, dear Nancy.
I love these kind of parades. The town near us has one every year, and although the rain kept us away this year, I know exactly what you mean about it keeping the world right. The highlight of the one near us is the real estate office that marches with folding lawn chairs and does some great moves with those chairs. And I am with you about celebrating the 4th that way. It really says America to me and helps bring us all together. And I am glad you enjoyed the book. I'd like a book with a haunted house on the cover also. Hope you are having a nice T day too Nancy. We are back into some more damp weather. Hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteoh what a fun, fun parade indeed- and something for everyone!! I don't know why we don't have one in our city although they do have a fireworks show in the evening. My hubby would have loved seeing all the Mustangs!
ReplyDeleteYour wine looks nice and refreshing to end the day- and with a good book or two as well. Happy T day!
What a fun parade! I feel like I was actually there :) Thanks. I'll lift a virtual glass to your town's job well done! Happy T Tuesday
ReplyDeleteSuch a fabulous parade, loved seeing all the photos 😁. Thanks for sharing your 4th July celebrations and wishing you a Happy T Day! Hugs, Jo x
ReplyDeleteHello, Nancy. Yes, I am here, but late, although still Tuesday. It is so awesome that you got to go to a 4th of July parade. I haven't been to one in years. Even nicer that family were on the floats. Thanks for sharing, because we only watched fireworks and celebration on PBS. Happy T Day!
ReplyDeleteI was fun to have family on some floats - especially as we didn't even know until we saw them. I had two other neices on the dance team float as well (didn't know about them either). Fireworks are pretty in person or on the TV - seems like this year's fireworks were even more precious after the last few years!
DeleteLooks like a fun time at the parade. I love your elephant wine glass.
ReplyDeleteNow that parade is Americana. Too fun. I laughed at the sanitation worker throwing Tootsie rolls from the toilet on the float. Looks like everyone was having a good time. BTW, I like the D.A.'s first name. Happy T Day
ReplyDeleteI hadn't even noticed his name, CJ, but now I see why you like it. I laughed so hard when I saw that toilet but the others with me didn't even notice it. LOL!
Deletelooks like a lot of fun was had by everyone :)
ReplyDeleteHi Nancy, I really enjoyed the parade and you made me feel as if I was there. Living in Spain, I obviously have never seen a 4 July parade, but now I have and I really like it. We do something similar on fiesta days. All the clubs and associations play a part and most people in the village are a member of something, same with the children, so everyone has fun. Here they also throw sweets etc. Great fun.
ReplyDeleteThe judge and the district attorney surprise me a bit. Why should a judge need advertising? She is not employed by members of the public surely? She should work for the court. Well, anyway, in Europe that is the case. But I agree that she is pretty.
Thanks for taking me to see the parade (and a glass of white wine would do very nicely, thank you)
Happy T-Day,
Hugs,
Lisca
Lisca, in America some judges are elected and some appointed. I guess they work for everyone - the court but also the people. This particular position is elected, but she probably doesn't have to try really hard to get elected as her father was a judge forever and everyone loved him and she is well loved too. The District Attorney is elected as well. Hope to see pictures of your local fiesta day parade too!
DeleteWow Nancy that was so much fun to see your parade photos! That must have been a fun day! I love that the sanitation dept was dispensing sweets (candies) from a toilet lol. Happy T day! Elle xx
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