7-4-2022 Julian, CA

 My Personal Research Service (Rob) found a 4^th of July parade in Julian, not far from where we are camped in Borrego Springs.  We dearly love Julian and back in the old days when we would pay Julian a visit we never left without a pie or two.  Since it is apparently the pie capital of the world, Julian was always a Sunday afternoon destination, or shall we say, quest.  This time, the 4^th of July parade was an unexpected, delightful surprise!

 

On the parade route!  

Uncle Sam!

The website advised that the parade started at 10 AM so an early start was paramount.  We arrived at 9:30 and easily found a nice shady spot in the front row, which was a little surprising.  It didn’t take us long to learn that the festivities start at 10 but the parade itself starts at noon.  Oh well, there were plenty of distractions:  music, treats and food, horses, friendly people and a complimentary concert by the US Marine Corps marching band.  A nice man came along and stopped in front of us and asked us if we would be willing to carry a big flag in the parade.  We didn’t really know what that meant but sure, of course!  So now we also had a job in the parade!  How fun!

 

There we are carrying the flag!
(See the white arrow?)

As parade time approached, the announcer told all of the volunteer flag bearers to gather nearby.  The plan began to unfold, as did the flag.  Beautiful Old Glory, all 30 by 60 feet of her!  Our job was to grab a hold on her edge and walk her down the parade route.  Many little children were so thrilled to participate.  It was their job to walk along underneath to keep Old Glory afloat, not allowing her to touch the ground.

Yay!

They shrieked with glee as if they were playing house.  As Old Glory slowly moved along down the street, many stood, cheered and waved and 4 vintage military airplanes did 3 flyovers.  It was quite an organized madhouse.  When we arrived at the end of the parade route, the leader asked for silence, we all recited the Pledge of Allegiance and then he guided us through the rather complicated mechanics of folding this colossal lovely flag.  It was a brand new experience for us!

George W and me!

Little tiny
conservative-
in-training

Hooooo-aaaaaaah!

Smokey and Lindy

'48 Farmall tractor

The parade followed Old Glory down the route.  There were the usual displays of horses, tractors, dancers, singers, vintage autos and fire trucks and the special treat of the Marine Corps marching band traveling all the way from the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli and down the street in Julian!  What a special way to celebrate the 246^th birthday of the USA!  God Bless America!