{"id":5136,"date":"2016-07-04T14:31:24","date_gmt":"2016-07-04T19:31:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bismarckmandanblog.com\/?p=5136"},"modified":"2017-06-05T20:39:31","modified_gmt":"2017-06-06T01:39:31","slug":"how-about-a-few-independence-day-parade-photos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bismarckmandanblog.com\/?p=5136","title":{"rendered":"How about a few Independence Day Parade photos?"},"content":{"rendered":"

That’s right: I didn’t say “July 4th” – it’s Independence Day.\u00a0 I was hoping to walk in the parade today, but my knee said otherwise.\u00a0 So it was painkillers, Ace bandage, and sidelines.\u00a0 But I did get to spend the time with my oldest boy and some friends in town from Idaho, so that’s a plus.\u00a0 Here are some photos of things I found interesting:<\/p>\n

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\"2016_4th_parade_40550\"<\/a>The colors.\u00a0 It was nice to see people rise and salute the flag, hands over their hearts, without anyone having to tell them.<\/p>\n

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\"2016_4th_parade_40563\"<\/a>Bismarck High School football carrying Old Glory.\u00a0 The parade’s in Mandan, but we’re one big happy Bis-Man community.<\/p>\n

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\"2016_4th_parade_40557\"<\/a>Serving and Protecting.\u00a0 Morton County is going back to silver vehicles again, which is too bad – I like the way their white and blue ones look.\u00a0 Especially the reflective blue stripe.<\/p>\n

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\"2016_4th_parade_40567\"<\/a>Since the liberals are fighting pipelines and now oil by train, this is how Bakken crude is going to make it to market.<\/p>\n

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\"2016_4th_parade_40571\"<\/a>Because it’s in North Dakota, the parade requires a Zamboni.\u00a0 The folks accompanying this parade entry were on roller blades.\u00a0 Cool, but probably spooky if one gets horse poo on those wheels.<\/p>\n

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\"2016_4th_parade_40568\"<\/a>I can’t see this without thinking about this song by They Might Be Giants<\/a>.\u00a0 It’s a beast like this which helped assemble that giant weather vane<\/del> construction crane at St. Alexius.<\/p>\n

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\"2016_4th_parade_40577\"<\/a>My friend and karate training buddy Nathan Toman, who I believe is running for reelection to represent Morton County.\u00a0 Please give him your vote.<\/p>\n

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\"2016_4th_parade_40576\"<\/a>One of the most colorful entries every year from ACE towing.\u00a0 I did happen to notice something on the side of this tow truck I hadn’t seen before, though:<\/p>\n

\"2016_4th_parade_40573\"<\/a>A little tribute to the law enforcement officers we lost a few years back.<\/p>\n

\"2016_4th_parade_40647\"<\/a>There’s only one way to heaven, and that’s through being born again by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.\u00a0 Good to see a church proclaiming it!<\/p>\n

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\"2016_4th_parade_40582\"<\/a>This was one of the coolest entries I saw: pedal powered!\u00a0 Plenty of people shared the responsibility of propulsion duty.<\/p>\n

\"2016_4th_parade_40595\"<\/a>The pedals turned a shaft which went to a gearbox and turned the rear wheels.\u00a0 I never did see how the front wheels steer, though.<\/p>\n

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\"2016_4th_parade_40630\"<\/a>Any event which has a bubble machine is a fun time in my book.\u00a0 This float actually had two, but it was the other components of the entry that caught our eye:<\/p>\n

\"2016_4th_parade_40629\"<\/a>I’m going to resist any puns here.\u00a0 This looks like it was a lot of fun to drive.\u00a0 Note the wheelie bar.\u00a0 I never saw that part put to use.\u00a0 But that’s not all…<\/p>\n

\"2016_4th_parade_40628-2\"<\/a>Rub a dub dub!\u00a0 This tub gizmo, along with the motorized toilet and outhouse trailer show a commitment to putting on a good display for this year’s parade.<\/p>\n

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\"2016_4th_parade_40659\"<\/a>One participant to keep an eye on every year is Butcher Block Meats.\u00a0 They always do what I wish more Mandan parade entries would do: make an actual FLOAT.<\/strong>\u00a0 They always motorize something, too – and this was no exception:<\/p>\n