parade

Today Braden attended his first parade.  

Every June our town, Kalona, has a celebration (very originally named "Kalona Days").  And every year there is a parade.  Actually every year there is basically the same parade (you know the small town type:  the loonnnng procession of firetrucks and emergency vehicles from our town and the 4 surrounding towns, tractors, ball teams riding in the back of pickups, and a few floats sponsored by local clubs or businesses. Oh, and don't forget the cute Shriner guys on their 3 wheelers - Auntie Allie's favorite part!).  

So every year we drag our lawn chairs and blankets and find our spot (which every year is the same spot on the edge of the lawn of some good family friends that have great shade trees, making it an ideal parade viewing location), and sit with the same friends and watch the parade, usually roasting in the June Iowa sun/humidity.

And we love it.  And this year I loved taking Braden.  I'm sure he won't remember it this year - his first year at the parade, but in a few years he will.  I fondly remember going to the parade every year with my family (yes, at this same spot in this same town).  I hope someday Braden has those memories too.

Watching all those firetrucks go by . . . 

 . . . doesn't Braden look impressed? ;) At first he was a little fussy - the parade was smack in the middle of his morning nap time, and it was H.O.T. out.  

But then he perked up and seemed to enjoy himself . . . except when someone threw candy to the crowd that hit him on the leg - ouch! (Hadn't thought about flying candy as a hazard.)

Braden even got close to the action and sat on the curb with Grandpa Ed to collect candy.  He didn't get to eat any though - maybe next year!

After the parade the celebration continued with lots of food vendors, music, and other festivities.  We opted to eat lunch in a restaurant to seek relief from the heat.  Braden had a great time with the menu.

After lunch we headed home . . . sweaty, tired, ready for a nap in the a/c.   . . . with new memories made.