Parade Day

After a week's buildup (in my own mind anyway), today was the big Independence Day parade. Significant overnight rain meant I had to take a combi (small bus) into town rather than riding my bicycle as I had planned. I wasn't even sure there would be a parade given the comments on Facebook talking about flooded streets. Regardless, I got downtown a little before nine, thinking things would probably get going about ten. The only evidence that something might be happening was the increased presence of state police along the sidewalks, but I had no idea whether anything was going to take place. I was just about to give up when I heard a band. At last. I'm not sure what I expected, but this parade was like something out of an old cold war movie - lines of marching military and military equipment (no tanks though). Fun to see, but it was sooooo hot. Just take a close look at this guys camouflaged face. I was dressed much more comfortably, but I was sweating almost as much. Glad I saw it, but I heard from our gardener this morning that the real celebration was last night at the basketball court. There is always next year.