A couple weekends ago we went to the annual Maple Leaf Parade in Carthage, MO. It’s a fairly big deal in our neck of the woods and we have gone every year for as long as I can remember. The parade is always good, but at this point it’s just as much about the tradition and getting to see family and friends as it is about the parade. The parade was good again this year, but I decided to focus more on the oddities this time around. Here is my 2010 Maple Leaf Parade experience:
The horses typically come last, for obvious reasons, but this time someone decided it would be a good idea to have them lead things off this year. If the reason for having them go last isn’t obvious to you…it’s so the rest of the people in the parade don’t have to worry about getting equine excrement on their shoes. Now on to some fantastic photos…
(Click On Photos For Larger Image)
I’m not quite sure what a Schweich is, but for some reason my son Jadon really likes it. I think Schweich is a politician of some sort because there were several politicians passing out advertisements and stickers. Why is it that politicians feel the need to pass out their stickers to kids. If you you really want me to make the effort to get out and vote for you, it is going to take a whole lot more than just a lame sticker. For what it’s worth though, if that sticker is durable enough to last fourteen years or so, I’m sure you’ll have his vote.
I realize that the cymbals are necessary for a band, but how horrible would it be to be the guy in front of the cymbal guy? Stick the cymbal smasher behind someone who is even the least bit jumpy and it could be disastrous…or really entertaining.
I especially liked this year’s parade because I became a millionaire. Or at least I thought I became a millionaire. ? I was up to four million dollars before I realized that I had something on my hands that was worth so much more than a lousy million dollars. I had the key to salvation. How could I have gone nearly thirty years without realizing how much Harry Truman cared about my soul? When it comes down to it, would you rather have four million lousy dollars (and hundreds more bills ready to be picked up off the street) or have your soul be saved many times over? Choose wisely my friend…choose wisely.
This was the float from one of the churches in Carthage. You’ve gotta love it when churches and patriotism collide. March on, ye soldiers who may possibly be Christians.
This is one sweet boom box…although I’m not sure it’s one I’d want to carry on my shoulder.
I’m sure the intentions are good, but does this not seem just a tad creepy? Something about bright red wings coming out of a skull and calling yourselves “Keepers Of the Children” just seems a little strange. It’s a bit disconcerting that they fail to clarify just which children they are keeping and how they came to be in possession of said children. Again, they may be good, well-intentioned people that are truly caring for children, but maybe they should rethink their name and logo.
I just had to include this picture because it’s always one of my favorite parts of the parade. It’s a car that rides down the street doing a wheelie…of course it’s awesome.
Now this is a horse I would be willing to ride. I’ve always said that if my feet don’t touch the ground while I am sitting on the horse, the horse is too tall. Actually, I think I said that for the first time when I saw these horses at the parade. So I guess I’ve only been saying it for a couple weeks. But if I was a two week old child, I could legitimately say that I’ve always said that. But I’m not. So I can’t. These horses are awesome.
If you are ever in southwest Missouri on the third Saturday in October, be sure to stop by Carthage and take in the Maple Leaf Parade. Who knows, you may walk away with a million dollars, eternal life, or a sweet sticker from someone who wants your vote. What more could a person want?
TIM PAYNE 