Independence Day

Here's a look at the Lake City 4th of July...an old fashioned parade, followed by games in the park and band concert. The theme was "Go Green", and there was some effort by parade participants to follow the theme but the major decorative effort, as always, is good ol' red white and blue.
And these youngsters and midsters, complete with Gracie Schnauzer, are a typical sample.

Many modes of transportation were used, from dogs to goats, horses, bikes (check out this 3-person bicycle), trucks, and on foot. The Lake City Stinger Band's theme was cute: "Give a hoot, don't pollute!"

We loved this little guy and his hat, even though not decorated.

And how about Uncle Sam on stilts? Those are some LONG stilts!


As usual, HATS and decorated pets had a large presence, along with t shirts, of course.

This gal's hat decoration is strictly homemade; when I complimented her, she smiled and said, "I just whumped it up!"

These youngsters had a great view of the whole thing, remained in this prone position throughout the parade.

Edmund and I bought hats for this occasion back in January when we were in a hat store in Laughlin, NV. They were a big hit, and lots of fun. Don't have a picture of mine...guess who took all the pics?

The flag raising scene on the left is one of my favorites, and the "cowgirl" won my prize for the most fashion forward outfit of the day.

This says it all!
What would this blog be without some flower pics? The poppy beds are in their last days but still provide many brilliant displays all over town. The inflatable Uncle Sam sits in front of the local bank.


Joyce's shoes and Mary Lou's shirt presented a couple more fashion statements.



We're right now in Vail, CO, drove here right after the parade and have been enjoying a different kind of r & r. On Sat. we attended a wonderful cabaret performance at the Beaver Creek Vilar Performing Arts Center...a program called "I'll Be Seeing You--Love Songs of World War II", performed by Andrea Marcovicci. Both of us were wiping tears from our eyes more than once; we're both shameless romantics.

Tonight we're attending a concert performance of La Boheme by Puccini, featuring several vocalists and the Philadelphia Orchestra, the venue for this is the outdoor Ford Amphitheatre.

In between music events we've walked the Sunday Farmers Market, very interesting collection of vendors and products (I bought some "Ontario Maple Pepper" rub/seasoning) and have eaten and drank our way through Vail. Yesterday we both got haircuts & I got a manicure/pedicure at the giant Walmart Supercenter @ 5 mi. west of here. We've also bought and frozen about 10# of meat to take back with us, plus a lot of canned products. Prices were @ 30% less than in L.C. We went to the local golf club driving range yesterday afternoon and wore ourselves out trying to remember how to swing a golf club.

The week's passing very fast for us; we expected to go fishing but so far haven't made it, too many other possibilities await.