Apple Blossom Parade

We went to the Apple Blossom Parade in Sebastopol last Saturday.  It was the first time we've been, despite living here for ten years.  Luckily, we found a spot in the shade; I don't think we would have made it very long standing in the sun.

Overall, it was a typical hometown parade and we enjoyed it.  Evan and I love the bands.  I continued to encourage the drums as his instrument of choice.  "Why?!" Brian kept asking me.  "I like the drums!" I said.  Girl Scout troops, Boy Scout troops, rag-tag preschool groups dressed up in cute outfits.  4-H and FFA'ers riding on big trucks.  The dog groups and horse groups were Ella's favorite.  Evan liked the old tractors and fire engines.  Good job to the synchronized lawn mowers (to the person behind us who commented, "what a waste of gas" - can't you just have a good laugh?)

All the anti-war people bug me but, hey, that's a representation of where we live.  My hat is off to the veteran's groups that marched.  "Freedom is not free."

One other comment - I don't think that entries should be allowed from people or businesses who are clearly there for the sole purpose of advertising.  For example, the caterer who simply rode in a car with her name and phone number on the side added nothing.  If a bank or relator want to sponsor a youth group, then fine.  Pacific Landscape were advertising, clearly, but their synchronized lawn mowers added entertainment value.  The others just made an already long parade, too long.

With all that being said, we're looking forward to next year!