What's not to like about a parade?

I got to perch like a bird at street light height today to photograph Red Bank's centennial parade. Red Bank's not my hometown, but I spend enough time there and feel like I know just about everyone, so it feels like home to me.

There were politicians and dozens of firetrucks with their sirens wailing, girl scouts and church groups. And clowns. I liked the clowns best. This was the closest thing to a marching band - don't high school bands do parades anymore?

Besides the clowns, there were people in funny hats waving and smiling in great old-fashioned cars like celebrities. Small town life... fun!

The firemen were very happy cause their trucks were shiny and they got to play with the lights and sirens without having to rush off to save anyone.

Firemen smile much more easily than policemen do. Ever notice that? He's my friend and I still couldn't get a smile out of him! Jeez... definitley not in a parade state of mind.

Part of the fun of a parade and a camera is the opportunity to take random pictures of friendly strangers with funny t-shirts.

Marching through town with an audience on the sidewalk seems to bring out the charisma in some people... this trowel-waving garden club lady was hilarious! She and her cohorts take care of the summer plantings in the downtown area.

The kids in the parade had a ball.. though I wondered how some of the little ones managed to last the whole distance of the parade... it was at least an hour long and snaked from the river on the east side of town to a picnic at a park on the west side.

Tomorrow the fun continues with a boat parade on the river, but I have to miss that for a surprise party.

;-)