Let The Parade Begin!
Here I share with you part one of the Friday Harbor 4th of July Parade. I have the whole thing, snap after snap, to share, but I can’t share it all at once, the post will be far too long and take a lifetime to load. I am sorry you are going to have to view this minimal commentary, but if you’ve been to many small town parades, you can make up your own!
A pre-parade clown! She walked down the street passing out candy and charming every body she met.
The parade route to my right.
The parade route to my left.
This was 15 minutes prior to start time and the entire crowd had yet to arrive.
~*~
And the parade begins with the police car driven by our retiring local sheriff and some of our local vets. I didn’t photograph the actual beginning of the procession because I put the camera down for the Star Spangled Banner, and because a couple of non-parade vehicles had yet to clear the route and I didn’t want to add to their embarrassment by capturing them on film.
~*~
When I took this photo and the next couple of shots,
most of the crowd was still standing — in front of me —
even though they had chairs.
I had a very narrow window between two people’s heads
in which to capture my shots. Sorry.
Again, two tall guys standing in front of me kept me from getting a full shot of the car. Sorry.
~*~
Finally, the two tall guys took their chairs and moved on. Was pretty much behind the emcee’s speakers but they were level with it and I know it was blasting in their ears. Those kids up front are still standing even though they have chairs, too. They won’t spend much time in their chairs though because they were busy running into the street to catch candy. I was behind them standing an a low rock wall (technically, I was in a flower bed, however there weren’t any flowers — besides everybody else was doing it!)
~*~
These are the peoples from our National Park Service.  As you can see, Susan’s leprechaun is still here.
More of above …
And a few pioneer women followed the soldiers.
They passed out candy and quips.
This pioneer woman passed ot flags. I don’t know how many she started with, but they were gone within the first block. I would also like to point out that if you are not curbside in a parade, all the candy and other giveways never reach you. Alas.
~*~
The pickup representing our local Chamber of Commerce. The bed of the pickup is full of daisies, thanks to the candy throwers, I couldn’t get a clear shot of that — too many people were scrabling for candy.
~*~
The parade Grand Marshall. Al Sundstrom. I do not know how he came to be chosen, but I do know he was very popular with the crowd.
This old Case Tractor was introduced as, “One Al Sundstom made.” We were also told who refurbished it but I don’t remember that info and I didn’t take notes.
~*~
This is a great old car!
~*~
The local chapter of the ACLU.
More from the ACLU.
~*~
PFLAG, proving that our island is a safe and friendly place for everyone to live.
~*~
This is a visual lesson in how to make certain you can spot your children in the parade crowd.
~*~
These folks came out to thank the local farmers for the care and friendship they extend to the Life Center Residents by opening their farms to them for visits and day trips.
~*~
I believe this is the unnatural love child of a German shepherd and a Wookie.
~*~
I’d like to tell you who these folks are, but I can’t for the life of me remember!
~*~
This display was very successful. The Pig War Picnic at the Historical Museum drew a huge crowd — such a huge crowd that they ran out of food!
~*~
This is the entry form the University of Washington’s Friday Harbor Labs. I could tell you the names of the people inside, but wouldn’t you rather look at that fantastic car?
A couple of labbies (see photo above) wearing their costumes from the annual Invertebrate Ball.
~*~
These folks from a neighboring island, brought us quite a display!
A bit of fencing from the Canoe Island folks, and …
… a bit of French Dancing. Even …
… a French mime. Do you suppose that’s why they call it French Camp?
This guys were the French Camp vanguard and tried to tie their display in with the parade’s farming theme.
~*~
I absolutely loved this display from Mullis Center and my camera doesn’t do it justice. Those plywood cut-outs are wearing real clothing!
~*~
Jensen’s shipyard is the eldest business still on the island. Here you see three generations of Jensens. The driver of the car is our church organist. With her is her daughter and grand-daughter.
This is part of the Jensen “float”. 😉
~*~
The color guard for …
the pipers!
~*~
Bountiful Harvest — all natural products. They make the best soaps!
~*~
A few of our elected officials.
~*~
Stay tuned for, “The Middle of the Parade”!
28 Comments
Wow.,..what a good parade. Looks like it was fun in the sun up there. 🙂 I love a parade but doesn’t everyone. Looks like a fun time was had by all. Q and I am sure you know about this but instead of downloading all your pictures like this of using a slide show like at Slide.com. 🙂
Well, Thom, when folks post slides on their blogs, I find it often takes 2-3 minutes for them to load, and by then I have moved on and not watched them. Since my photos are hosted on Flickr they load in seconds and folks can just see them. Yes, it is more work for me, but in this case, I am thinking it is worth it.
I agree with you and I do the same. I’m just saying this because I have gotten comments from people when I post too many pictures on my blog in one post that they would like it in a slide show. To each his/her own I suppose.. And when I have used Slide it has never taken that long to load the show. But maybe that’s just my connection here. Who knows. Makes no never mind. These are excellent photos and I really enjoyed them. I don’t think we had a parade here yesterday. Oh well I got to attend one via your blog. WOOT!
Another advantage to this format is that one can go through the photos dang fast and only look at the ones they want to!
Loved this picture show. Regarding Thom´s comment, I do not agree. When people put up slide show´s I rarely watch them, because our internet is too slow to load it. I´m so glad you made the extra effort to put the pics up this way.
Looks like a beautiful day and lots of people participating.
Betty — that is just what I thought. I don’t watch any slide show that takes too long to load. I figure that means others don’t, either!
I think the Ford is a great old car, too!
Karen — glad you liked it.
looks like fun was had by all
Polona — pretty much.
Great photos 🙂
Out here we aren’t allowed “Candy Throwers” in parades anymore. I think a kid got hit by a following float while scrambling for candy in the road. We can pass candy out, but not throw it.
Teresa — well, the kids weren’t that excited and the floats didn’t move more than 5 mph.
Great cars, and what a beautiful day!
Happy Fourth!
Thanks, Susan. I hope you had a great day, too.
Loved the cool old cars!
Linda — so did I!
I am glad you shared your parade. We chose to do every thing at home. The family with the red white and blue stars was adorable.
Betty — they were, weren’t they? They really cleaned up on the candy,too!
Such vibrant colors in all the photos! I looks like it was a fantastic parade and such a wonderful way to celebrate our Country’s independence!!
CL — I love small town parades. And it is even more fun when one lives in the small town!
You took terrific pictures! I actually like the ones with part of a car and the view across the street to parade watchers; it shows action!
We only had 1 piper at our parade, and I haven’t yet tried to post the pictures. After seeing yours, I’m not sure I should… yours are so much better!
Karen — should we compare cameras?
Looks like a lot of fun!
I agree about preferring to skim through several photos rather than watch a slide show.
Barbara — fast, yes? And you only have to look at the ones you want to!
Wonderful pictures Quilly, thank you for sharing. Don’t you love the Small Town Parades, they seem more Special than the Big City ones.
Bill — I agree.
Wow. I just noticed Beau the Leprechaun is marching with the National Park Service. Are they supposed to be Union soldiers?
Karen — yes. There were both British and Union outposts on the island during the Civil War.
Comments are closed.