Labor Day, in our Small Town

Yesterday we attended the local Labor Day parade, and I was struck at just how "typical" our parade is for small town America. People lined the streets, some with flags, and children clutched their plastic bags, eagerly awaiting the candy thrown by the people on the floats. We dropped James and Rachel off at 7:30 to complete preparations and get on their floats (for the Pee Wee Football team and Cheerleaders) and promptly at 9am, the parade began!

First up after the Parade Marshall and the Shriners in their crazy mini-cars were the classic cars, including this BelAir. My dream car is a red and white '57 BelAir...

Immediately following the classic cars were the convertibles with all the "Parade Royalty" - Labor Day princes and princesses, including these ladies in a very regal carriage.

There were local politicians and local businesses...

And a float weighing in on the health care debate...

Followed by floats from a few of the many churches in our community...

The local high school football team and cheerleaders, very proud of their 3-0 season thus far...

Then the Pee Wee Football float!

And the Pee Wee Cheerleaders...

After the floats, I think every remaining school-aged child in the county was in the parade on an ATV...

... or a horse!

This photo is Tom's grandfathers old old old Ford truck, which has been completely (and beautifully) restored by his Uncle Dennis. He didn't enter it in the parade, but parked it by the road and lots of people came by to take a look.

After the parade we went to my in-law's for a cookout. Here's Rachel:

And James...

And just for grins, here's a photo of James holding a 7.5 lb sweet pototo, which my father-in-law grew in his garden. We asked him if he was going to enter it in the upcoming County Fair, to which he replied "Naaaah - Everyone would say 'Who is that dumb guy who didn't know when to harvest his sweet potatoes?' !!!"