I Love A Parade

StockCake

This weekend is the Manchester (Missouri)  Homecoming, a three-day community festival and carnival. Hubby Tony and I used to live in the city and still attend church there. When the pastor put out a call for people to participate in this morning's Homecoming parade Tony and I decided it would be fun to be a part of it.

The theme was "The Great Outdoors". There were hundreds of people participating in the parade, but the committee had everything well organized. Our group carpooled to the starting area and found our place in the lineup about two thirds of the way back. The organizer handed out bags of giveaways to the walkers. Right before the parade started we gathered for a group photo, then we waited for our turn to start moving.

The parade had honorees, local politicians, floats, bands, Scout troops and packs, sports and cheer teams, and a couple of community organizations. The two-mile route wound through subdivisions and ended at a school on the west side of the city.  My task was to hold one side of the banner that gave the name of the church. Behind the banner there was a group handing out candy, stickers, and rubber ducks with the church logo. Next came the Cub Scouts, followed by several Jeeps (to represent the outdoors).  

Our group was behind the school district Step team. One of the members pulled a portable speaker and played fun, upbeat music. For the most part the team walked, but whenever things slowed down they would go into a formation and do a 30-second performance.  

At the end of the parade we realized there wasn't enough seats in the Jeeps to drive everyone back to the church. Several people, including Tony and me, decided to continue walking. By the time I reached the car at noon I had completed my steps for the day!