Limestone Heritage Festival Parade

As many of you know, my family on both sides is originally from Bedford, a small town in southern Indiana. The town was once known primarily for its limestone quarries, having provided the stone for many of the buildings in Washington D.C. and New York. Today, the town is probably known more for factory closures and the occasional incineration of a local landmark, but that obviously hasn't damped the spirits of the community. For on each 4th of July, they still have their Limestone Heritage Festival, including a parade, ice cream social, and concert -- this year featuring local jazz favorites, "The Residue."

We'd been to the fireworks and festival previously, but we hadn't gotten a chance to visit the parade. So this year, we braved the foul, rainy weather to see "floats" (usually the bed of a pickup truck) featuring local institutions like this here dumpster truck.

If you have a keen eye, you'll notice the reconditioned Marathon gas station behind the dump truck. It's deceptively simple to turn "Marathon" into "Smoke Shack." Here's a better picture from the start of the parade:

The parade also featured local square dancing troupe, the "Squares and Rounds." They didn't seem the least bit bothered by the rain or the new millenium:


But my favorite part of the parade was the Shriners and their funny little cars. I could watch big men in funny little cars all day.

In all seriousness, we actually had a great time at the parade, despite the constant drizzle. My cousin Mary watched Grant during a large portion of the parade, and now he is completely infatuated with her. I suppose she'll be able to get through high school with the little dude attached to her leg.

Erin and I were talking on the drive home about the things you miss when you don't live in a small town. Our little suburban town used to have an actual "downtown" until CVS and Walgreens decided it would look better with two identical pharmacies rather than the original historic buildings. I realize that people who live in small towns have their issues with them, but for the rest of us, there's something endearing about walking up the block and running into your neighbors while waiting for the town insect fogging truck to go by on the parade route. Perhaps I'll be able to instill a small town sense of community in my kids without actually having to become a square dancer. Time will tell...