I love a parade!

This was such fun! Something better than 50 units in the "Absarokee Days" parade today, including: horses, both ridden and pulling various carts; antique cars and tractors; a good number of requisite local politicians; and a host of locally made floats from various businesses and organizations. Several high school classes holding their reunions this year were represented, including most (5 out of 7, I think) of the surviving members of the class of 1938!

The grand Marshall of the parade is one of my favorite people here. Aylett is active in the local VFW, having served as a WAC in WW II. She is one of our parishioners-- her late husband was a priest in the region-- and an absolute treasure.

Of course the local firefighters and search and rescue crews were present. The Columbus Fire and Rescue even brought up their pumper truck, full-- and would stop every few hundred feet to spray water up the street. Hordes of delighted children (of all ages!) would run out and get soaked by the spray. With temps in the 90's, a perfect day for it.

This year, local clergy were invited to serve as judges for the various ribbons that were given out. The picture shows clerics from the Episcopal, Lutheran (ELCA) and Congregational (UCC) churches, complete with Official Headgear-- custom-made "JUDGE NOT" visors, augmented by tiaras in quasi-liturgical colors (Robert had a tiara, but is not wearing it in this photo. Go figure...)