Archive - Jul 7, 2008

I was asked on Thursday what I would be doing for the holiday. I said I'd be doing what I do every year on the Fourth of July, going to the Britton Fourth of July Parade.

After so much rain, I welcomed the dry morning and the sunshine and was happy it was not humid as it usually is on the Fourth.

I've been to plenty of parades, that's for sure. My family used go to the Northville parade and then the parade in Downtown Plymouth. There were bands and floats and more bands. When I attended my first Britton parade nine years ago, I was in awe of the seemingly endless line of tractors. We never had that in the suburbs. Throughout the years, I've seen a speedy lawn mower and even a motorized bar stool, that has to take the cake on the most unusual parade item I've ever seen.

This year, the Britton Villagers decided pets would add a new dimension to the parade, so I went along with the theme and brought my newly groomed golden retriever. Well, she was sort of newly groomed. It's been a couple of weeks, but she still looks great. I tied a red bandana around her neck trying to get in the spirit. I meant to tie a blue one as well but I couldn't find a blue one.

It was tricky trying to take photos for the newspaper while holding onto my pupper's leash, but she was good and a friend took her leash during the ceremonies so I could finish doing my job. There were all kinds of different pups in the parade, a couple chocolate labs, a yellow lab, a St. Bernard and even a miniature pony.

I think the weather and the new additions to this year's parade brought a lot of smiles. Maggie added a few loud barks.