I love a parade. Good thing for me, Garland boasts something like "The largest Labor Day Parade in America in a city under 1 million and west of the Mississippi". All of that right here in town.
Sometimes in years past (when in town), we've sat curbside to watch and cheer the local parading participants, but lately I've sat in my shaded spot at Glenbrook and Main all by my lonesome, as I wait for Sue to float on by atop the Garland First Presbyterian entry. It is not really in Sue's job description to run the church's float, but since she knows what has to happen and since she does have connections as Director of Education to recruit the youth to ride the float, she always seems to have a bigger role in the Labor Day doings than would be expected in a better organized world.
This year Garland FPC's entry got into line early, so they were near the front of the 2 mile parade route. Being near the front of the line of 150 entrants, she and the float made the 9 o'clock evening news - and it did not hurt that she spotted the Channel 4 cameraman, looked directly into the lens and gave a big ol' smile and hearty wave. Others no doubt ended up on the cutting room floor, but not photogenic Sue.
All six GISD High School marching bands were present (sans uniforms on this 92 degree morning) along with the always sparkly hosts of allied dancing performers, majorettes and cheer leaders. It is always great to hear a high school drum line move on down Main Street, I feel it kind of grounds me in local identity and a larger spirit of America.
There were large and very pink flamingos ("Let's Flamingle! - Garland neighbors"), the Shriners with there rock band on a flatbed trailer, an airplane float and their side kicks, a cohort of clowns handing our candy. A local barber, an organic food store, plenty of Pee Wee Football teams, scouts and brownies, local politicians and at the end the Sheriff walked on by, followed by her mounted deputies.
After an Hour and ten minutes, everybody who was anybody had passed on bye. I folded up my camp chair and headed home where I had the Stars and Stripes flying in the hot summer breeze from my front porch.
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| Flags and Boy Scouts march past as The Star Spangled Banner plays To lead the Garland Labor Day Parade |
This year Garland FPC's entry got into line early, so they were near the front of the 2 mile parade route. Being near the front of the line of 150 entrants, she and the float made the 9 o'clock evening news - and it did not hurt that she spotted the Channel 4 cameraman, looked directly into the lens and gave a big ol' smile and hearty wave. Others no doubt ended up on the cutting room floor, but not photogenic Sue.
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| Director of Christian Education for Garland First Presbyterian waves energetically to the crowd and the TV cameras lining Main Street |
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| The youth, DCE and Pastor float along Main Street in the Labor Day parade |
There were large and very pink flamingos ("Let's Flamingle! - Garland neighbors"), the Shriners with there rock band on a flatbed trailer, an airplane float and their side kicks, a cohort of clowns handing our candy. A local barber, an organic food store, plenty of Pee Wee Football teams, scouts and brownies, local politicians and at the end the Sheriff walked on by, followed by her mounted deputies.
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| Sachse High Swingsters Swing on down Main Street |
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| Sachse High School - Alma Mater of our daughter Inga (2005-2009) |
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| Garland High School - Alma Mater to our son Grant (2007-2011) |
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| Garland High Step Team |
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| High Stepping Lasses |
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| Local Color - Pink |
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| South Garland High Senoritas |
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| Mounted Dallas County Deputy Sheriff rides at the tail end of the Labor Day Parade |
After an Hour and ten minutes, everybody who was anybody had passed on bye. I folded up my camp chair and headed home where I had the Stars and Stripes flying in the hot summer breeze from my front porch.
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