The Famous Oakley Parade!

Grandpa got the great idea one day while we were sitting around the cabin that we could join in the Oakley Parade. So we drove down to Oakley and asked if it was too late for our family to enter a "float" in the parade. Well it was not too late! Imagine the surprise when we told the kids they would be in the parade! The joy on their faces was priceless! So we solicited the help of all te kids to make postes and decorations for the trailer that would be out float. We put a bunch of bales of straw in the back, bought two big bags of candy and decorated our trailer with balloons and posters indicating our love for our country. We forgot to put our name on the float which caused some problems for the announcers who didn't know who we were! We also found out part way through the first few yards of travel in the parade that we had way too little candy! We couldn't believe the parade crowd! Not only did we travel a long way...from the rodeo grounds to Kens Kash....but we also had no idea that kids would be lined up with sacks to hold the candy everyone threw! It was like Halloween in July! We knew this would be a small town cultural experience, but we were ill-prepared for some of the traditions. And there were a lot of people watching us! The kids threw candy until it was gone, waved and smiled and ten apologised for having no candy later on! But next year we will know the drill and come prepared. Our float will be the best! and we wont be at the end with the fire trucks---although that was kinda neat!





Well, just look at the pictures of us and our fabulous float. We also got our picture taken with Smokey the Bear! Well, you can't beat that now, can you?