I had a real Mohawk Valley Adventure Friday when I attended the Ilion DooDah Parade. The Parade is a major event of Ilion Days, which ran from July 12 through 20 this year. I was there to cover the event for Sentinel Media (regular readers may remember that is my part-time writing gig), but I ended up riding on a float, so I participated as well. I took a number of good pictures, so I may have more than one DooDah post.
Cool car, nice fellow!
This was the Grand Marshall of the parade, Yasushi Takase. He was an American Field Service (AFS) exchange student his senior year in Ilion in 1975, and returned for the 50th reunion. I got his picture after the parade, so it was good I rode on a float till the end.
The view from the front.
You can’t read it very well, but it is the post number from the Herkimer American Legion. I boldly asked if I could ride with them, and they graciously allowed me.
Other Legions were represented as well.
It was the Ilion Legion, however, who gave me a bottle of water, which I sorely needed by then. I had been walking up and down in the hot sun, taking pictures, and talking to people who were lining up for the parade.
I didn’t think the Baby Boomers had ever left.
I wondered if I should have asked to ride with this group, since I am technically a boomer. Really the tail-end of boomerdom. I guess I fit in better with the Legion, being as I am a Veteran.
The most colorful group!
What I really should be is a Happy Hagg! I once asked if I could join them, and they were very welcoming. I just need to learn the dance, figure out a costume, and go to some of their practices.
Look how cute they are!
This was our view off the back of the Legion float (it was a trailer with chairs on it, really). I’d like to have one of those sunflower hats.
I am afraid this has not been a very coherent account of my evening at the parade. Full disclosure: I am back from rehearsal for the play I am in (you may have read some of my blog posts about it) and I am very tired. However, I am approaching 400 words. I say OK. Happy Monday, everyone!
Mohawk Valley Girl 