Gladys in her First Parade!

Each year my hometown has a huge parade for Labor Day. I haven't been in the parade since I was a little kid and my grandparents wanted me to show off Gladys, so I agreed to drive her in the parade...and convinced my dad to ride with me :) I just got the interior finished up Saturday morning before the parade, so she is all done!!

There is also a small car show on main street before the parade. My mom thought it would be neat to have a little sign showing that Gladys is a 4th generation car. Of course I can't just print a little sign...I had to add my own touch :) 

I was a little nervous driving in the parade with all the people and especially little kids around chasing candy! But having my dad along really helped! And my mom even got a video. Isn't Gladys pretty!!

Labor Days Past

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 :)

Friday Features - Labor Day Parade

I hope you're all geared up for Labor Day Weekend! I know I am! My parents get here Sunday and my small town doubles in size with all the festivities on Monday. One event I always enjoy is the Labor Day Parade. So I went searching on Etsy to find items that remind me of our annual parade.

As a kid I remember wanting to go for all the candy!

Candy Sweet Shoppe lollipop party pdf printable

by  GlitterInkDesigns 

As I got older, the parade became about playing in the marching band.

And yes, I carried the bass drum!

 

 Children's Nursery Art Print (Bird Playing the Bass Drum in Blue)

 by barkingbirdart

There are always lots of horses at the end of the parade. And when I was just out of high school, Jesse and I rode double in the parade one year :)

 

Mustang Quarterhorse Artwork - Crystal - 8 x 10 print of my original watercolor

 by tapestry316

And there are always lots of fire trucks...from my own town as well as the neighboring towns.

 

Vintage1950s Marx Tin Fire Truck

 by Thebeezkneezvintage

 I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Friday Features-Labor Day Weekend

Here in the little town of Essex, Iowa...Labor Day is probably the biggest event all year long! Our celebrations start on Friday and don't end until Monday night! Our little town of 1,000 grows 10 fold!

So in honor of the big celebration, I bring you some fun features about what Labor Day means to me :)

On Saturday I will be working at a golf tournament selling refreshments. When I saw these adorable Fancy Tees from JudyCootie I knew I had to share them :)

Monday is filled with lots of events! The entire day there is a flea market in the park. This Cottage Sign by FamilyAttic caught my eye right away :) I hope to find myself some treasures this year!

Also on Monday is the big parade...complete with lots of marching bands, floats, fire trucks and horses...along with lots of other fun entries. Isn't this On Parade Thank You Card by SaraJaneStudios super cute!!!

One of the last events of the weekend is the demolition derby. I'm a little bummed my cousin won't be in it this year, but this cool Pile Up print from GiminiComplex can help me remember the years that he did participate.

I hope you have a wonderful Labor Day weekend :) I better celebrate while I can...as I go back to work on Tuesday!!!