The Freedom Festival Parade returned to the streets of downtown this year.  With almost 100 entries, the hour long parade was entertaining for all ages.

This was my first Freedom Festival Parade, and I was impressed with how well some of the floats were decorated.  The CIPCO patriotic circus train was my favorite float – and the judges must have agreed because it won first place for Best Decorated Vehicle.  I was happy to see that this parade wasn’t missing one of my favorite classic parade entries – the Shriner’s Mini Cars were zooming up and down the streets.

The Quantico Marine Corps band was a special treat in this year’s parade.  Their performance, and the crowd’s overwhelmingly postive reaction to them, was more than enough to inspire patriotism in every spectator.  Additionally, I appreciated the riderless horse that was part of the Cedar Valley Marine Corps League’s entry.  With a pair of black riding boots reversed in the stirrups, this horse represented all those men and women who did not return from serving their country.

While there were too many dance and cheer teams for my personal taste, I enjoyed the enthusiasm of all of the parade entries. (And I espeically enjoyed all the Tootsie Rolls and Super Bubble bubble gum that were thrown my way.)