Greatest Fourth in the North 2013

Welcome to the Greatest Fourth in the North 2013.

We made it through the parade, unlike last year, but second-time-around-pregnant Marge didn't even attempt the 5K, unlike 2011. Admittedly, the parade-people-watching has gone downhill since the banner year of 2009. (Though 2010 wasn't too shabby.) Or maybe it's just that the cute toddler next to me distracts my lens from the train wreck around me.

Will and Justin did a 5 a.m. chair drop to secure a shady spot, only to be greeted with a cloudy day.

Here, they discuss the 6 a.m. golf results...

Shoulders are a girl's best friend.

And mom and dad's (give those arms a break)!

This guys was ready.

Just wish his windbreaker wasn't covering up what was undoubtedly a color coordinated shirt.

Maizey enjoyed her props.

And Grandma's lap.

While I enjoyed eyeballing the preteen footwear.

This gal was sporting sassier espadrilles than I've ever owned. Plus a bubble skirt. 

And then, of course, there was this guy.

Who I believe loves Arizona, judging by his "Tuscon" tattoo.

Then the parade got rollin.

Yes, this troop leader is sporting a camelback.

And the following two shot are for Uncle Greg.

I gave him a shout, Greg, but only got a wave.

Vampire slayer by night.

Flautist by day.

Here's a teaser of my 2013 fave (guess which one), 

along with a couple other gems.

My fave group was the tree farm crew, who gave the "Racing to the Greatest..." theme an Olympic, albeit flammable, twist.

Not to mention their up and at 'em referee.

An oldie but goodie,

the pups were back.

Okay - giving it away - my fave.

And a chica who obviously didn't get the "Appropriate Parade Footwear" memo.

Maizey and Grandpa shared the bounty.

Best get ever.

While this guys costume made zero sense.

Zero.

Rosco, Mr. "Free Shakes" was back.

But no Uncle Paul to dish him sass.

By the end of it, Lady was ready to rock.

"Did you see that lady's shoes, Dad!"

And, it wouldn't be Lake City without a train horn blowin' semi,

spreadin' Yankee truckin' pride.

And to my fave?

Amen, Brother.

As an aside, here is what two rice krispie treats, 6 tootsie rolls, one sucker, three starbursts, two mini-snickers, and a popsicle do to Lady. Happy Independence Day!

Greatest Fourth in the North

The summer after meeting Will, back in 2004, I was introduced to my first Greatest Fourth in the North, care of the Spurgeons, the Crissmans and a little town near Cadillac called Lake City.

The ditty goes a lil' somethin' like this... Night before - put chairs in truck bed, usually about 15 of them. Morning of - coffee, light breakfast and drive downtown for the 5 or 10 K. After the race - gather at the 15 chairs, carefully placed by soon-to-be-named Grandpa Bill, rendevous with the non-racers, enjoy some Baked Beans coffee and a breakfast sandwich, and get down for some serious parade watchin'.

In years past, those of you on Facebook may have perused my fabulous Lake City Greatest Fourth in the North parade photos. I must say that this year was slightly less dramatic. Only one band. No Roscoe. And no Jenny Nathan. But yes - they did toss beef jerky. And yes, there was a woman driving around megaphoning at the kids to "GET BEHIND THE WHITE LINE, FOLKS!" It was still a super time.

The spectators from my camp . . .

...including sunscreen safety officer G. Bill:

Other notable spectators included the pasty and the tan - the former clearly a follower of Officer G. Bill: 

Who knew bathing suit parade watching was such a thing?

For those that can't decide? Just wear jeans AND a bathing suit. Brilliant! (Sidebar - it was about 85 degrees out.)

And then there was my favorite spectator, affectionately nicknamed Chugger.

Takin' names and kickin' ass. Her 18 wheeler was parked out back.

This year's theme, "It's Round-Up Time," showcased some seriously couture Old West-inspired Northern Michigan attire, modeled by the effervesant teens of Lake City.

(There was even some vintage wear - the white boots, which I think I coveted back in 1991.)

This guy totally showed up Kip and Owen.

And what about the double-glove crew? MJ times two?

We were positioned at the end of the parade route (atypical placement for the Spurgeon crew). 

By the time they got to us, parade participants were pretty tuckered out... I was tuckered too. 

But lucky me scored a coupon for a free Big Boy coffee.

And it wouldn't be a Lake City parade with a message from above.

Even delivered in the Round Up theme...

Oh what a time it was...