BrandonInfo.com

The American Festival has a full schedule planned for this weekend, and it looks like the weather is going to play along. If you’ve never been to the events, check them out. It’s great fun, and a fine community event, whether you participate or spectate.

I remember marching in the Loyalty Day parade back when I was in junior high band in the late 1960s, and throughout high school marching band in the early 1970s. I remember photographing the parade in all kinds of weather during the 1990s, when I was editor of the Brandon Valley Challenger. I remember taking a photo the year the Brandon Valley Marching Lynx turned around and marched backwards for one section of a song. That was a fun photo and won a prize too, as I recall.

I remember seeing veterans of World War II and other wars riding and marching in the parade, and feeling pride when I saw the color guard go by. I remember kids with streamers on their bicycles, riding down Main Street.

I remember the lawn chair brigade and their fancy choreography. I’d like to see more of that kind of stuff in the parade. Especially in its first year, the lawn chairs were unexpected and flashy.

I’ve always thought it would be fun if the City Council members would ride city golf carts through the parade route. Maybe they could do the same kinds of maneuvers the Shriner scooters do as they traverse the route.

What are your American Festival memories? Which events will you be attending?