Yesterday was the annual Fourth of July Parade in my neighborhood. It’s not a huge affair, and I haven’t even made it to the parade most years, but I needed a walk yesterday afternoon, and it was a good destination. I got to visit with a few folks while waiting for the parade, take a few pictures, and was done with that in about a half-hour. There was also the Festival in front of St. Anthony Main, which was basically a bunch of booths with people selling things. The parade went right through that, too. It all wrapped up on Nicollet Island, where there was a lonely jazz trio playing for the benefit of a handful of bums, and one family. I hope some of the parade participants at least stopped by, as these guys looked pretty lonely, but kept playing in the hot sun.
I didn’t go out in the evening to watch the fireworks just a few blocks from my house. I thought about it, but was in the middle of watching Bound For Glory, which I figured was a lot more patriotic than staring at some fire in the sky.
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| MPD leads the parade |
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The parade started with a contingent from the Minneapolis Police Department. The horse-patrol led, followed by a police car whooping and chirping its siren.
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| Firemen |
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A fire truck followed, also occassionally whooping its siren.
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| Don Samuels |
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Next was a band, with Third Ward councilman Don Samuels riding along and getting his face in front of the people who will be in his ward next election cycle.
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| St. Anthony West Neighborhood |
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The St. Anthony West Neighborhood had pretty good turnout.
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| Grafitti Busters |
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These kids were pretty enthusiastic about removing grafitti. They were even chanting about it.
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| Guy on Motorcycle |
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I’m not sure which group he was with, but this guy had a nice motorcycle with some decorations.
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| Mill Ruins Park |
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There was a contingent promoting the new Mill Ruins Park (just across the river).
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| Minneapolis Millers |
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And some people in Minneapolis Millers uniforms handing out candy to the kids.
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| Marcy Holmes Neighborhood Association |
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Next up were the representatives from my neighborhood. If I’d been a little less hung-over, I might have joined them on my trike, but as it was, I was hurrying to get down to the river in time to watch the parade.
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| MHNA |
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| Southeast Anglers |
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The Southeast Angle had a pretty good turnout. I think everyone who works at or writes for the paper was there.
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| Humvee |
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I’m not sure whether this hummer was National Guard, Army, or what. But they had candy for the kids!
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| Trolley Cars |
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Bringing up the tail was a trolley car. The first one was actually part of the parade. The second one was just on the normal tour, and got caught behind the parade.
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| Jazz Trio |
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Finally, the lonely jazz trio set up on Nicollet Island.