On Friday I featured several items that reminded me of the Labor Day Parade in my town. I got several questions about my time in the parade, so this weekend I went on a photo hunt to find pictures of me in the parade :) It's always fun to look through old photos!
This is my first photo at Labor Day. I'm about 17 months old here. My grandpa was an Iowa Representative in Congress for many years. Don't you love me decked out in my red, white and blue! My mom is holding me and my grandma is driving.
Another tradition in my town is the crowning of the queen called Miss Essex or Little Miss Essex. I participated in this twice when I was little and got 1st runner up and 2nd runner up. I never participated when I got to high school (not really my thing then). I'm the little blonde in the front left. And each set of queens got their own convertible to ride in in the parade :)
Our parade also has lots of floats from local businesses and organizations. Here I am riding on the float for the local library. Each year the parade has a theme and this year it had something to do with "around the world". I'm on the right in the grass skirt (and REALLY short hair!).
I also mentioned in my Friday Features post that I carried the bass drum in the marching band. As a 7th and 8th grade girl, this probably wasn't the best instrument of choice...lol! Look at me go :)
And the last parade I was in (probably 2000 or 2001) Jesse and I rode a horse. There are always tons of horses at the end of the parade. I always thought it would be fun to do, so Jesse and I rode double. My cowgirl outfit here just cracks me up :)
I'll be headed to the parade this afternoon and look forward to seeing the queens, the bands, the floats, the horses, etc. And this year, my mom gets to ride on a float for her class reunion. Maybe she'll throw me some candy :)
that's great that you have those photos. You should gather them together in one album! Have fun today! {:-D
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely memories you have of Labor Day Edi. I can relate to the marching band photo. I played the trombone in 6th and 7th grade, and then switched to oboe for the rest of my school career.
ReplyDeleteWhat a memorable day in your life! I love traditions. I believe they are good for us humans.
ReplyDeleteWhat an adorable little queen you were :) Thanks for sharing these wonderful pictures with us! Have fun at the parade!
ReplyDeleteWhat fun! I really enjoyed you sharing these photos with us!
ReplyDeleteThat's pretty awesome that you were in it for so many different reasons throughout the years! Love your cowgirl outfit too- and that's pretty rocking that you were a bass drummer!
ReplyDeleteHow fun it must have been to look forward to the parade every year. That drum looks bigger than you were! I hope you have a memorable time today too!
ReplyDeleteThese pictures are so great! I've never been in a parade. I would love to have some hometown traditions like this. :)
ReplyDeleteI love hometown celebrations like this - you're lucky you have all the photos & memories of being in all these parades.
ReplyDeleteI grew up in a big city, now that I live in a small town I appreciate being able to participate in town-wide parades & events.
I loved seeing all those photos! You were a cute little thing! That's one big drum! Jesse looks like he's the happiest cowboy ever to have such an adorable cowgirl!
ReplyDeleteWhat great memories! I really enjoyed seeing all of your photos and hope that you had fun at the parade today.
ReplyDeleteFab! My mom has horrible homecoming parade photos of various years .. all of us in costume (a different theme for each grade). Also every 4th of July we still converge in SD for the parade. It is one of my now grown kids fav memories and they still like to get back if they can and our youngest is in the latest crop of grandchildren "candy snatchers".
ReplyDeleteHow fun! You were so cute in your little queen outfit! I wasn't in any parades as a kid (thank god) but my sister and I did a few years when we were in high school. We were official candy throwers!
ReplyDeleteWhat fun memories!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, the pictures are lovely! Your high positions in Little Miss Essex must have been very important for you then, boosting your popularity and confidence :) You were a lovely child, I would have certainly given you the first place!
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ReplyDeleteWhat fun memories! I wish I could get to our family's photos but my mom lost them. Great pic on the horse.
ReplyDeleteIt must have been fun to participate in your annual Labor Day event, and to look through all the photos.
ReplyDeleteValerie
Everyday Inspired
What great memories! Wow! My daughter marched in the band with a snare drum - that was bad enough! I remember being in a parade on a float once, too. Very fun pictures!
ReplyDeleteloved all the photos! What fun! Was that drum heavy? You seem to be handling it very well!
ReplyDeleteSmall town activities are so fun! I miss them, since I live in a BIG town now. I loved seeing all your pics! Wonderful!!
ReplyDeleteI loved seeing these photos! What wonderful memories you have.
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