ypsi~dixit

I hope everyone's holiday plans include Ypsi's Fourth of July parade. It starts at 11 a.m. Tuesday, at Cross Street and Wallace Blvd. in Normal Park, and ends in Depot Town. There are always lots of marching bands, fire trucks and clowns -- great kid stuff.

And Miss Washtenaw!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Where's Mr. Washtenaw? Why isn't there a cultic idol of local masculinity?

Finally! A parade at a time when I may actually be awake. Although, don't get me wrong, I love being woken up by marching bands at 8 in the morning...

There's nothing more restful. Anyone else ill at ease with a flashy show of fervent patriotism at this juncture? Just wondering.

Hadn't thought of that... I was just thinking of the happy marching band sounds. Maybe it's best that I just hear it all from my bed afterall.

And you may get to hear my dogs howling tunefully along with the sirens...definitely a must-see.

Hey at troubled times such as this, when things are not going well, it is all the more important to stand up and wave the flag. The flag that represents free speech, blue and red states, and the year 1776. Those people had reasons for the way they wrote our Constitution, and this being an election year, all the more important to celebrate, take part and participate in democracy!

Clover went to the parade last year, got her own balloon (tied to her collar and cute as a button) and had her own water dish and blanket for the hot concrete. She took only the mildest of interest in the goings-on.

Maryd: that is a good counterpoint.

I don't love a parade. I have a right not to. I marched in far too many in high school band.

Every parade is pretty much the same. Though I think Ypsi's parade is unique in having the POW float with the guy in the cage.

Kim wrote: "There are always lots of marching bands ..."

So how does it work out that there's rarely a marching band in the Ann Arbor parade, but Ypsi manages to have lots? It used to be that the highlight of the A2 parade was the woman would dress up like the Queen of England. This year I'm planning to go for the first time in a few years, specifically to see Czar, the K-9 Unit dog, along with the new Police Chief, Barnett Jones. A2 parade starts at 10:00am. For the truly patriotic, it's probably possible to see most of the A2 parade (stationed towards the beginning of the route) and then head over to the Ypsi parade without missing too much (stationed towards the end of the route). Anybody ever attempted the 'double'?

Ann Arbor is Overrated

Shupac, you have a right to not go. My middle daughter quit the marching band the day before the 4th of July parade saying "I hate marching". I let her.

HD: I think that would be parade overload. Yep, we have tons of marching bands from all the area high schools. I usually follow the same pattern each year:

1. make some grumble about participating in a flag-waving display in a troubled time
2. go
3. have a great time and enjoy the pageantry

The big difference between the Ann Arbor parade and the Ypsi parade is that Ypsi pays more (a lot more). So Ann Arbor ends up with all politicians and kids who work for free and Ypsi ends up with more music and entertainment plus politicians, kids, and old cars.

I wish the politicians would at least make an effort to decorate their cars. If they don't, the implication is that their stature as politician is enough justification to be a parade entry.

It ain't. Get out that crepe paper and make an effort, politicians. Wow me. Go.

One year I rode my bike with the girl scouts with decorated bikes, and my youngest a baby in the bike seat in back, sound asleep. The wheels were brightly decorated with crepe paper and flags. Big fun!

That would be fun! I should pimp my bike, plop Clover in the Porta-Pup with a flag bandanna around her neck, and go next year.

juliew said "Ypsi pays more (a lot more)."

Just curious, who pays and who gets paid? Surely City of Ypsi doesn't pay the various marching bands an appearance fee??!!

And, by the way, is KYR going to have an entry in the Ypsi parade? Perhaps a mock-up of an AATA bus that the KYR gang is pushing?

HD: Nope. KYR has a slender budget to say the least. But I hope to be down there, so mebbe I'll see you if you do the parade duathalon. I'll probably hang out around Salt City Antiques.

p.s. HD: Oh, and I'm sorry, I don't know where the funding comes from. Is the C of C involved? Dunno.

I’m not sure where the funding comes from. Maybe one of the civic groups sponsors it? Although these parades bring in a lot of money to the City so it might be worth it for them to pay. What is good money to a band is relatively small compared to what the City reaps in business and good will. The paid entertainment tends to bring in people who might not go to Ypsi normally and the parades are always a good time and a good way to showcase the City.

Up at the water tower, my doggies did howl along with the motorcycle cops, ambulances, fire trucks, etc. Oh, it was hilarious. They have grown blase about marching bands, minicars, drumlines, and even bagpipers. A great parade was had by all ...that is, until the street cleaner came by at the end. Whew, now THAT was scary!

I actually was in town for the parade this year and I slept through it! tsk tsk. I did enjoy laying in my bed half asleep and listening to it arrive in Depot Town though.