Wednesday, July 04, 2007
I Love a Parade
Growing up in a tiny town in the southwest corner of my panhandle state, the 4th of July was a BIG deal. I have so many memories of the fun of those days.
There was always a parade. I am not sure how old I was when I began participating in it. There is a picture of me in first or second grade dressed in red, white, and blue (complete with an Uncle Sam hat made of construction paper by my Mom) riding my bike which was also decked out with red, white, and blue. And then pictures of me and friends on flat bed trailers that had been transformed in to floats that fit the theme of the year. One year in particular stands out as I was a trapeze artist for the morning on a float commemorating the circus theme - those dance costumes were always put to good use. Junior high and high school brought cheerleading floats. And one year I drove my convertible in the parade - a sign on my side reading "Miss Tiny Tot 197?" and a sign on my passenger's side reading "Miss Tiny Tot 198?" with my little sister standing in the seat and waving to the crowd. It was her day to hand over her title to the new Miss Tiny Tot.
Miss Tiny Tot? Yes, one of the many contests held at the park each year. Little girls in swimsuits walking across the stage and doing a little turn for the judges as her name was announced along with the "daughter of. . .and granddaughter of. . ." reading taking place. Before my days in tiny town were over they had also added a Mr. Muscle contest - little boys in swimsuits striking a "show me your muscles" pose as their reading was taking place. Both contests were popular with all the folks setting under the shade trees in the park enjoying their BBQ lunches they had stood in line to get.
Other contests also held old fashioned hometown fun charm. There were turtle races, frog jumping contests, greased pole climbing, and a sand pit filled with change for the finding. And of course the afternoon would not be complete without a free swim at the pool - conveniently located at the park also. For a few years we even did a swim show prior to the free swim. Coordinating swim suit clad girls doing a choreographed routine to a popular summer song. Esther Williams I was not - but it was fun!
Nightfall brought more events. During my grade school years there was a rodeo. And throughout all my years in tiny town there was a street dance. Right on Maine Street and complete with a live band on a flat bed trailer. Folks of all ages mingled that street each year. I always thought it was so cool to watch the "older crowd" dance the night away.
Our family fireworks were usually set off behind my Granny and Papa's house. The large dirt parking lot of the local cotton gin was a great place to assure little damage would be done by our fun.
Memories of such times are wonderful. I am sure time has romanticized them. I am okay with that.
I hope my own children's memories of holidays are romanticized as they become adults also.
simple faith
Growing up in a tiny town in the southwest corner of my panhandle state, the 4th of July was a BIG deal. I have so many memories of the fun of those days.
There was always a parade. I am not sure how old I was when I began participating in it. There is a picture of me in first or second grade dressed in red, white, and blue (complete with an Uncle Sam hat made of construction paper by my Mom) riding my bike which was also decked out with red, white, and blue. And then pictures of me and friends on flat bed trailers that had been transformed in to floats that fit the theme of the year. One year in particular stands out as I was a trapeze artist for the morning on a float commemorating the circus theme - those dance costumes were always put to good use. Junior high and high school brought cheerleading floats. And one year I drove my convertible in the parade - a sign on my side reading "Miss Tiny Tot 197?" and a sign on my passenger's side reading "Miss Tiny Tot 198?" with my little sister standing in the seat and waving to the crowd. It was her day to hand over her title to the new Miss Tiny Tot.
Miss Tiny Tot? Yes, one of the many contests held at the park each year. Little girls in swimsuits walking across the stage and doing a little turn for the judges as her name was announced along with the "daughter of. . .and granddaughter of. . ." reading taking place. Before my days in tiny town were over they had also added a Mr. Muscle contest - little boys in swimsuits striking a "show me your muscles" pose as their reading was taking place. Both contests were popular with all the folks setting under the shade trees in the park enjoying their BBQ lunches they had stood in line to get.
Other contests also held old fashioned hometown fun charm. There were turtle races, frog jumping contests, greased pole climbing, and a sand pit filled with change for the finding. And of course the afternoon would not be complete without a free swim at the pool - conveniently located at the park also. For a few years we even did a swim show prior to the free swim. Coordinating swim suit clad girls doing a choreographed routine to a popular summer song. Esther Williams I was not - but it was fun!
Nightfall brought more events. During my grade school years there was a rodeo. And throughout all my years in tiny town there was a street dance. Right on Maine Street and complete with a live band on a flat bed trailer. Folks of all ages mingled that street each year. I always thought it was so cool to watch the "older crowd" dance the night away.
Our family fireworks were usually set off behind my Granny and Papa's house. The large dirt parking lot of the local cotton gin was a great place to assure little damage would be done by our fun.
Memories of such times are wonderful. I am sure time has romanticized them. I am okay with that.
I hope my own children's memories of holidays are romanticized as they become adults also.
simple faith
Labels: Memories
# posted by simple faith : 8:42 AM
