Alpine Daze

I am not an expert on parades. Luckily I have never let my lack of knowledge about many different subject stop me from speaking definitvely about them, so I am going to do so now about parades.

In the world of parades there are three categories. First there are the crazy Macy's Thanksgiving Day ones that seem overwhelming on TV but I doubt you see more than a baton twirler's toe if you are there. Then you have the small-town ones that really just have Joe and his tractor. Finally you have the Alpine Days parade. This is definitely on the Joe-and-his-tractor level but the difference is that Joe is actually advertising for his tractor services and is throwing candy out by the handful. I think it was a requirement set up by the parade organizers that any float in the parade must throw out more candy than a city full of rabid three-year-olds could possibly pick up. The dentists in the parade were throwing toothbrushes and candy. So the game plan is find a good spot, bring lots of plastic bags, and send the kids into the street to pick up candy thrown at them by strangers which they will inevitably eat before parents get to check if it is OK. If my Mom and Dad are reading this I think they are passing out right now. Oh, there are also lots of big inflatable slides and things with kids running all over, spreading germs. Here are some pictures of the carnage that was the Alpine Days.