Never would have guessed it, would you? But whenever we stay still we always look for fun local things to do as a family. So this weekend, we attended the Festival of Trees Parade.
What is Festival of Trees? So glad you asked.
Festival of Trees is the annual fundraiser for Quad City Arts, a local not-for-profit arts agency. Over a week long series of events make up Festival of Trees. The Festival of Trees Parade is billed as the largest helium-balloon parade in the Midwest with over 20 large helium balloons, pageant queens, dance groups, bands, clowns, floats, tractors and unique antique cars will participate in this spectacular event.
I started the day at 5:00 AM with a sinus headache and we were running around getting our home together for some friends we invited over for dinner later that night. That morning, I stayed at home cleaning, while Kate & Daddy went food shopping. We took a break at 11:00 AM to go see the parade. While in the car, delayed by traffic, Kate falls asleep. I turn to my hubby and ask if we can go home. He says "No, we are GOING to enjoy this as a family." (Thank God for awesome dads.)
So we finally find a parking space and have to meander a few blocks back to the parade where we were greeted by:
RUDOLPH!!! (Yes, that's me screaming, not my child.)
I especially love this guy with cell phone in hand, driving his Christmas tractor.
Rudolph's handlers had a few issues negotiating traffic lights.
I developed a mild obsession with pageant queens, if only due to the sheer number of them in the parade.
A few local celebrities, like Rascal the River Bandit, showed up.
I don't know how this float got in the parade. But somehow I don't think a house fire = Happy Holidays.
Random dragon balloon. Methinks someone was trying to meet the balloon quota.
Libby the Library Dog (again I was screaming.) Don't judge, I love the library.
Isn't this the now defunct Michigan J. Frog (aka the WB frog)?
Santa's got a swe-eet ride.
Too bad he can't give Frosty a lift.
Next year we'll attend the tree lighting on John Deere Commons.
Tree Lighting & Parade New Coverage
Here are some pictures from the local news affiliate. And here are some more.
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