It has certainly been an interesting Independence Day this year. I spent this morning squeezing past crowds, trying to find a good spot to watch the annual parade. There was so much festivity in the park, something I didn’t think I’d ever see again after more than a year of masks and social-distancing.

The city started celebrating on July 2 and I got the feeling that this was a belated celebration of the city’s 100th birthday was supposed to be 2020 but…

This was my first time seeing this parade. I was an active participant last time, walking alongside my church’s float while tossing candies into the crowd. It is definitely a different experience. One, I get to see all the parade floats and two, I know now why there is a plastic bag tied to the little kids’ wrists. This is like a second Halloween for them.

If I get to go to this parade again next year, I would be better prepared. I would pack chairs, a tent, and lots of ice and water to keep cool and to prevent my arms from getting ten shades darker.