A Christmas Parade!

I woke up to a very chilly morning. The local weather reporters got the weather wrong big time! It was suppose to be sunny with a near high of 50 but that didn’t happen. Instead it rained off and on, windy and very chilly. The temps said around 35 but the wind chill was 21. So since the cold & rain are horrible on the back i spent most of my morning just taking it easy playing games and suffering the web .. well when the internet worked! I don’t get a very strong signal early in the morning or late in the evening from the motel. Weather permits how much connection i have. It also decides on what TV stations i get … What a bummer … well i guess you get what you pay for … and since both are free …

I went to a Christmas parade today! I heard on the local TV station that there was a parade earlier in the week. I got online and checked it out and sure enough there it was. Sounds of the Season is the theme. Well since the news media missed the weather forecast i decided this morning i better get online and checked to see if the parade was still on since the weather isn’t what was predicted. Sure enough nothing stated otherwise so I got dressed up warmly and left early to get a good parking space. Arriving an hour early paid off as i got a front row parking spot and if needed be i could of watched from my car. Instead right before the parade was to start the rain let up and so i walked a few feet and stood along on the side walk with everyone else.

I spotted a different looking umbrella, i thought it was pretty cool looking. I was wishing i could get a better picture but you can get somewhat of what it looked like. Yes … it is shaped like a ball cap with eyes!

As you can see people were dressed in coats and wrapped in covers. The parade venders were out hoping to acquire some green backs before the big day arrived. Although there didn’t appear to many takers this was the only gentleman i see that even attempted to talk to the vender. I guess the economy is even effecting them. Parents/grandparents just don’t have the extra money to splurge on none necessity items.

The parade was led by of course by the traditional local police car and then yep you got it the local fire truck. The kids love to hear the sirens going…. i know my granddaughter is fascinated with sirens.

Then wow came the fancy sports cars … Yes … look at these police cars …

Then came the volunteer police car … i had never seen this before … citizen patrol .. hmmm are these volunteers police officers or they like patrolmen/women who help citizens cross the street … interesting and kind of neat to me … how about you?

Here came the RV mobile command unit … i have never seen this before in real life …

Of course what is a parade without cheerleaders .. i have to admit i’ve never seen so many cheerleaders in one parade … the trailer was full and there was a huge group walking .. go girls

Wow … look at the National Guard ride … our soldiers were answering to the call of duty and they were giving treats to the children.

Look what i spotted amongst our troops .. Yep a K-9 dog in our armed forces … and how cute that even our K-9 dog is doing whatever to serve our country. I’m sure the dog just loved being decorated for the season and having to walk miles in the rain and cold .. Thank you to our troops and the K-9

Look presents were in the parade and another K-9 …

One of the most wonderful things i seen today in all of this wonderful parade was the next 2 pictures. This group brought handicapped adults out to be apart of the parade and the smiles on the faces and being allowed to say Merry Christmas and having it said back to them was the best. Giving is what the season is all about. It’s not giving of expensive gifts but of gifts that touch the heart. Thank you to who ever you were, you touched my heart and that is what the season is about.

An old fashion milk truck … wow what a neat thing to have in a parade

Look even the local news station had their truck and a float in the parade, actually several were in the parade but i only took pictures of this one for some reason.

of course what is a parade without the shiners! In fact i read where they are actual the organization that sponsors and organize this parade .. what a wonderful job you do .. so please anyone who can donate to this organization it does so much good for so many sick children.

I rather liked this fire truck .. I'm fascinated with older style vehicles .. hmmm maybe that is where my boys get it from???

more awesome cars ….

Cocoa cola had this truck pulling a trailer full of coke! Then they had these clowns passing them out and of course i had to get me one too … sorry kids i’m not sharing this one … anytime i’m at a parade and candy is tossed i always give mine to a child i see standing back and not participating. It’s the joy i get …

The vender walked up and down the streets looking for takers .. here is again.. still no takers … hmmmm

Since the vender was in the way i had to take another shot of this float .. i felt it deserved a second shot .. they not only fit the season but they were doing a wonderful job of singing.

The cow truck was a favorite of mine as well. Although i was upset i didn’t get one of their stuff animals they were handing out. I had to stop and think about the statement the old man standing next to me spoke… they seem to forget the old people in parades and head straight to the children … old people enjoy the parade and threats as well in fact i think children get threats more then we old folks do … hmmm now that i think about it he does have a point .. once elderly folks go into an assistant care living they are limited to what they are given and I'm sure a treat is a special thing for them. I guess that is why ever time candy was left in the street and ran over he ran to pick it up and stick it in his pocket. Of course i decided to stop picking up candy and let him have any that was thrown at us out of respect.

It was rather on the chilly side to be boating but this boat was all decked out and pulling an elf behind it. pretty neat huh .. since it’s too cold do water ski how bout roller skiing? Looked pretty fun to me

It was once again time for the police to come through and patrol .. although i think the state troopers patrol cars were much neater then those fancy new ones .. reminds of the good ole days i guess .. hmm am i getting old or what ???

What is it with these young girls in these costumes? I bet one thing .. they were freezing their toots off …

The salvation army had they disaster van pulling a kettle hoping for donations ..

more costumes and more cold girls … hmmm

although I'm sure these gals were freezing as well .. i liked their costume ..

What’s a parade without Harley riders …

Now these costumes are more like it .. much more fitting for the time of year .. just my take

This float was another one of my favorites .. my favorite one is yet to come ..

more neat cars … is this a parade of oldies????

There were pirates in the parade as well .. hmm they seem to have taken over this float of christmas trees .. i have to admit my first seeing pirates in a parade .. they were advertising a local fair in Aug 2010

I thought both of these little neat things were pretty cool .. what you think?

I just love this … beauty

these were neat and Kermit and the monkey was a cutie in my book …

This poor K-9 looked how i felt .. although these dogs are just the cutest and they always look so sad

how about this school bus and Krispy Kreme .. no they were not giving out donuts .. of course i wouldn’t be sharing those either … lol

I thoguht this bus add a nice touch esp since it kept saying Merry Christmas

Okay here is my favorite float! I thought this was just so adorable and this reminded me of the season .. when i think of Christmas i think of Little House on the Prairie type Christmas where it wasn’t about commercial but the real reason for the season and the gift of giving in the spirit of Jesus birth

What is a parade with out horses .. these Clyde dales were my favorite ..

Of course what is a Christmas parade without the official arrival of the guy all the kids have been good for all year long .. yessssssss … look who finished the parade off .. he may be last but

but to the children he was the prince of the parade … yep .. Santa Claus and his lovely wife Mrs. Claus

The parade was very nice, one of the longest parade’s i have ever seen. Of course the first Christmas parade I've ever been too and it was a great even though i was literally frozen to the bone!

After the parade i needed to swing by Wal-mart and get some laundry soap and soda .. man what a mess .. everyone else must had the same idea .. the parking lot was packed .. inside was crazy and packed with people … i got what i needed and got out of there .. I'm so glad i don’t have to do that anymore ..

After the craziness I finally arrived home and got me a cup of hot cocoa and tried to get warmed up. I had planned to go see the Wilson's Creek National Battlefield presentation but i didn't get home until 3.30 pm and since this started at 4.30 pm i still wasn’t warmed up and there was no way my back could take another outing so my evening was spent inside of Ms. Southwind snuggling up to the warmth that felt so good. I’m sure i will pay big time tomorrow for today’s fun …..