Last week Lloyd mentioned in passing that we might be be helping Deb Fischer (candidate for U.S. Senate and all-around Nice Lady) with some parade stuff this weekend. I laughed nervously, as I always do when politics are mentioned around me. “I don’t have to talk, right?” I asked. Lloyd nodded his assent.
Well, it turned out to be a combo Memorial Day/Q125 celebration in Gresham, Nebraska – a tiny, tiny little town west of here with a population of 283.
Yes. 253.
When we passed the town sign with it’s population information, I thought, “Well, at least this will be quick. 53 people walking, 200 watching.” I was wrong.
See, a Q125 is a quasquicentennial. How do I know that word? Well, when we went on choir tour to Germany back in 1992, Nebraska was having its quasquicentennial and we, as ‘ambassadors’, had to wear some ugly red t-shirts and sing in various town squares, and then receive the key to the city/town/village. (If you ever need to stay overnight in Germany, I can let you in.) The first time we sang in that capacity, it was a million degrees out, I had sweat seeping through my khaki pants and I wanted to just die auf deutch.
Sorry, long side story. Anyway, since it was the Q125 in Gresham, they had many, many, many people…. in the parade. There were nearly sixty or so entries, mostly fire trucks, tractors and old cars, but a few actual floats. (I feel floats are important for true parade status.)
As in Germany, it was also a million degrees in Gresham, but we had a nice breeze and I wore a skirt, so at least I didn’t want to expire.
It was great. We walked down one street and then up Main Street handing out stickers as Deb waved and greeted people. (She really is amazing.)
This lady made me so happy. She was Miss Gresham back in 1962.
That’s her beautiful granddaughter sitting beside her. Just lovely – both of them! (This also reminds me that I never got my tiara back that I loaned out. Hmmmmph.)
The absolute best part was that since this was such a tiny town, the parade announcer had little personal things to say about each entry. “Here’s Ed Johnson driving his 1952 John Deere tractor that won Best Paint at the county fair. Ed, when’d you get that tractor?”