Fun on Mandan's Main Street

We were on Mandan's Main Street bright and early on Saturday, July 4.

First was the Mandan road race. My sister, my uncle Bob, and a friend of Bob's ran the 10K race. Memories were flooding back - through junior high and high school, we spent almost every weekend at road races around the San Francisco Bay Area.

After all the runners took off, this little guy got scared and lagged behind a bit. It was really sweet. Slowly but surely, he eventually made it.

I opted for playing tractors.

Caitlyn came in first in our group.

Then came Bob. This was his first race and he did a great job of pacing himself.

Our three super stars!

We cleaned up a bit and claimed our spot on Main Street for the parade.

I wore my ridiculously large hat.

Corey joined us. He was a Mandan parade first-timer. He was in for a fun time.

Finally the parade arrived. The Mandan High School marching band was one of the first entries. My mom and I get a bit emotional at parades, especially when the music arrives. Yeah, we're sappy.

And then there were horses.

And cowboys. Big and small.

This horse decided he needed to pee.

And he peed and peed and peed and peed. I had no idea a horse could hold that much liquid.

He created quite a flow down the gutter, disrupting all the parade watchers along that route.

Lucky for us, we sat across the street.

Another horse pooped. Caitlyn though it was stinky. I agreed.

The horse clean-up crew was quite creative. Free fertilizer! How's that for fun?

We were immensely thankful for their service.

The rodeo clowns arrived and the parade fun resumed.

What's a parade without candy?!

Or excited little kiddos?

Or Santa and his sleigh? I can't decide if this is funny or disturbing. Or both.

Who knew Mandan has their very own Golden Age Club king and queen? I sure didn't.

Creative fun from a beef rancher.

And then there were tractors.

Big and small.

New and old.

And about 30 in between.

Even a combine or two.

My favorite floats are 'old man' bands on flatbeds. I especially like the accordions.

They're knee-stompin' fun, I tell ya.

Parades are so special. I love all the smiles and colors.

...

July 4th: part two will be around soon.