The Travels of the Agnew Family

Today is Mission's Citrus Parade, part of the citrus festival. There are carnival rides, a smoking contest (meat that is), musicians in the park, food and other vendors and of course the parade. Last year you were able to buy food from some of the people smoking meat for the contest, this year we were disappointed to find out that smokers were not selling any food. We had a really good day. Ed took two hundred and eighty photos, most of which were very good but I managed to whittle it down to less than thirty. The parade was really long --- an hour and a half. It would have been closer to an hour if the non-decorated commercial vehicles were eliminated from the parade. I can understand why elected officals wanted to be in the parade but three undecorated vehicles from a lawyers office. Think there were at twenty or thirty such vehicles in the parade. Many spectators left before the end of the parade and missed what I thought were some of the best bands, marching groups and floats.


One of the fellows smoking for the contest.


Ed and John talked to one of the guys smoking and were offered fajitas which they happily accepted.


This park in Mission has an amphitheater built into the ground. The gazebo at the far end housed the band.


Carol and I found a pieced of curb and sat down to enjoy the parade. The couple beside me are from Winnipeg. They noticed the Canadian flag pin on my hat and started talking to us. Had lots of time to talk to them as it took the parade an hour to reach our location. Next time we're going to sit closer the start of the parade.


Finally the start of the parade.


Bentsen Grove RV park's float --- this is where the people from Winnipeg stay.







I think it would be fun to ride one of these bikes.












Finally the Oleander Acres float. Judy and crew did a great job decorating. JJ (the dog) was walking in the parade but got tired and had to be carried by time they reached us.


One of the many citrus princesses.












John and Ed were standing in the road half the time as they took their photos. I think a number of the parade participants thought John and Ed were from newspapers and posed for them as this girl did.


Another group of students having a good time. The guys were doing flips as they went down the road.


Zero radius turn tractors. Not sure why they were in the parade but they were having fun.


Carol and I decided that uniforms improved the marching ability of the band.


The Shriners love driving their cars --- wonder how many people to takes to get these guys out of the cars after they been sitting in them for two hours.


I love watching these horses, they almost dance.


The parade is over and clean up crew begins their work.