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Yesterday was the annual Day In The Park parade in my hometown. Several years ago the Keesler Air Force band from Biloxi would come and marching in their uniforms, play patriotic music as the parade went around town. Rousing music. Stirring music. It was wonderful.
For some reason they don't come anymore, so the parade seems truncated. One year the high school band in their uniforms marched and played, but one of the band members passed out in the heat, so next year the band marched in street clothes. This year they didn't make an appearance at all. Also this year missed seeing the sheriff who was voted out of office last election--he was a home town guy who would ride in the back of a convertible and wave. The new sheriff didn't come.
First in the parade was the town police car with bubble lights twirling, followed by the town's two fire engines, sirens blaring. One of the engines is antique looking; on top of the newer one, a bevy of teenaged girls sat throwing Mardi Gras beads and candy.
Then followed a contingent of people driving 4 wheelers, then the Arlington Fire department engine, then an antique truck pulling a flatbed trailer with a church sign on it, and kids sitting on the flatbed waving. Then came two Conestoga like wagons pulled by mules, then a group of motorcyclist with balloons tied to their rears (no helments.)
My favorite was the big new John Deere tractor with a front end loader pulling a flatbed of kids. Last came horseback riders; the horses pooping as they wound around town. The yearly parade is one of the fond memories of kids growing up in a small town.
Who doesn't like a parade? Susil
Great fun!! So glad you went and enjoyed it, memories and all! 
We used to have a small town parade here in my town for Memorial Day. Our family would always decorate our bikes with crepe paper, balloons and streamers and then ride down the street to watch the parade. There's no money in the budget anymore, so we haven't had one in a couple of years. Too bad... they were great for the neighbors and such.