The Big Show - The Independence Day Parade - Columbus Style

I must say - when you can get this town "into" something they go all out.

I believe the The Independence Day Parade in Columbus is the "to do" thing for many of the towns around here. If you would have told me that C-bus, with a population of less then 5000 was the BIG city in these parts I would have laughed. BUT - I guess it is.

The parade is a firetruck/tractor extravaganza. I have to think the town AT LEAST doubles in size as the parade route is filled 2 and 3 deep for the few miles it runs from. Little towns from all over show off their fire trucks and old tractors. Fire Queens are all over waving and smiling.

When we went to The Kurth Wednesday night I noticed that yellow crime scene tape stuff in a square in front of The Kurth. I thought they had planted new grass. But then I noticed . . .IT'S EVERYWHERE.

I asked Left Hand Louie and he says people start to call "dibs" as early as Monday to get the prime spots. IT'S A BIG DEAL HERE.

In fact the "4th of July" celebration is a huge event in Columbus.

So without further a due (???) - I bring you my version of the C-Bus parade . . . . . at least until I started to get a little bored (nearing the 2 hour mark).

And apologies to Michelle for stealing her trademark crooked shots - imitation is a sincere form of compliment.
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It was nice to see people standing and applauding as these guys came past.

The Columbus Marching Band.

OK - on this photo I was chasing Miss Columbus down the street like a Paparazzi.
I finally caught up to her.

The little runner-ups for the Prince and Princess Red Bud Contest. way to go Levi!!

You HAVE to have camels right?
What parade would not have at least one camel - and we had TWO!!

And for every camel the unheralded camel picker uppers!

Sue sue sue. WHAT are we going to do with you!

Tami Baldwin always makes an appearance.

What can I say - a large cow.

WHAT? Is that YOU JOHNNY??? Jerry has a new look also.

This is a BIG FREAKING tractor. Eight BIG FREAKING wheels.

Hmmmm - how do I explain THIS photo. Well - I was multi tasking and this appeared. It seems in a game between Boston and the Yankees (very patriotic) some Red Sox guy hit a ball deep, Yankee dude leaped to grab the Home Run and smashed into the wall. The ball just stopped on top of the wall.

Here is the highlight of the Parade.

If there is anyway we can get word to the Lebanon Marching Band that the crowd LOVED you we have to do it. Smiles were on all faces as they marched by.

They were great - people stood and clapped along. WELL DONE!!

And just like camals - you MUST have bagpipes (not that I'm comparing camels to bagpipes)

Bringing up the rear are the horses.

NEXT week the Thunder Run comes to Columbus - hundreds and hundreds of motorcycles zoom into town to fight diabetes. The Thunder Run has raised 1/2 million dollars so far.

And finally - remember - the Britians are on THE MAIN STAGE tonight at Fireman park. See you there with Miller Lite in hand (just shoot me now)!

Tomorrow - I start my first Ale for Grinders Island Brewery - It'll be a Bascom Brown Ale, a smooth, moderately sweet, nut brown ale with low hop bitterness and a soft character . . . .LIKE ME!!

Cheers - Rod