May 14, 2016
Who doesn’t love a parade? The National Park Service at Grand Canyon was invited to march in the Earthfest Dancing with Dogs Parade in Kanab, Utah. So seven Park Rangers from the North and South Rims walked in the number three position. Couldn’t have been more than 12 positions in the parade.
It had been a very long time since I participated in a parade. I marched as a Girl Scout more years ago than I want to remember. When I lived in Tonasket, Washington I roller skated in a fall Mardi Gras parade. Yea, wrong time of year but that’s the way we rolled. And I also rode a horse in Tonasket’s Founder’s Day parade held during the rodeo.
We left the North Rim Saturday at 6:30 am for the hour and a half drive to Kanab, Utah where it was already an hour later. Confused? Me all the time. As are many visitors who come to the North Rim from Utah. Six of us in the car, three from the South Rim. One other Ranger met us in town at the Visitor Center staging area.
The Saturday Market had several booths set up selling jewelry and plants. So you know where I headed. In fact friends Dan and Cindy were selling and of course I saw something I liked, a cuff to match the ring I’d already bought from them. The purplish color is a dyed Kingman turquoise which matches many of my favorite colored outfits.
Many parade participants mingled in the parking lot including countless costumed Greyhounds, rescue dogs, many of whom matched their owners. About 10:05 the Honor Guard lead us onto State Route 89 into downtown. We followed the Forever Adventure Tours jeep. There were BLM horse mounted Rangers, A Utah State DNR Ranger in an OHV, people dressed like trees, and did I mention LOTS of Greyhounds.
One of our Rangers was the Grand Marshall. Two carried a NPS banner, which is really a green table cloth with NPS on it. Two more carried small signs with “FindYourPark”, one in Spanish. And we all carried green NPS paper bags filled with mixed candy and Condor stickers to give to the kids watching the parade.
There may have been more participants than onlookers along the four block route. Yet in all fairness this was a first time event celebrating Earthfest, NPS 100th, and Greyhounds. Interesting combination wouldn’t you say. Yet it was a well received parade. People clapped and cheered for the National Park Service. We handed out candy and invited them to visit the North Rim. Then turned around and walked back, minus the Honor Guard who dispersed at the turning point.
Afterwards the newly appointed tourism director took all us Rangers to brunch at Parry’s. Then we made a quick stop for groceries which always needs to be done living so far from town. And four of us headed back to the NR.
It’s possible Grand Canyon National Park will get more involved in future Kanab events.
All parade photos were taken by Bill who I asked to use my camera for this event.
Sorry I haven’t been visiting blogs lately but still having issues with a limited signal and time. Looking into a stronger booster and open to suggestions.
It looks like lots of fun. The time changes are going to completely confuse us when we get there (if we make it). Thanks Bill for taking all the photos. Diane
Oh how I know about jet lag and it actually gets me the worse traveling west verses east. But you’ll survive. Still holding thumbs.
Very nice post. Small parades like this really bring back memories of the 50’s when I was a small kid. Those times seemed so magic and exciting back then. Guess that can be said by most folks my age thinking back 60 years or so.
Great looking cuff and ring. Nice of you guys to travel all that way to participate.
Thanks Lew. It wasn’t hard to get a front row seat for this parade.
The Grand Canyon National Park staff is really making us all proud.
I love the Mardi Gras Parade in the Fall. Hey, who says it has to fall on the actual day. I wonder if they still do it.
I love parades. I’ve only been in one or two but I love watching them.
I too wonder if the Tonasket parade is still a go. As a business owner I worked with the Chamber of Commerce when that one started.
What a nice parade! Remember…we don’t need to promote our parks any more!! Believe me, everyone has “Found Their Park!” Haha!
I know, it’s like FindYourPark somewhere else. 😉
It’s been decades since I’ve marched in a parade – but I still remember we had the position behind the draft horses and weren’t thrilled about it 🙁 Sounds like everyone had a great time!
Glad the horses and dogs where behind us.
Looks like a fun small town parade!
Love the jewelry.
Dan’s now making me a pair of earrings to match. Like I need more jewelry. 😉
Hey, you got to be a celebrity, bought jewelry, and got some needed groceries – a great day, I’d say. Hope your connection issues get better soon – you’ll have blog withdrawal! Hope it’s going well with the crowds at the N Rim. I’m wondering if you’re seeing wildflowers blooming? I saw marsh marigolds and globeflower today blooming alongside snow drifts!
All that good stuff and got paid for it. Still intermittent problems with internet. Starting to see some wildflowers, saw asters, penstimon and primrose. No snow drifts.
You look great in the parade. Small town parades are so cute with all the official vehicles that make up much of them here. Guess I should suggest that Shenandoah be invited to the next local parade in my home town. It wouldn’t be a 6 hour drive for them. You all are good sports for sure. Nice that you could get groceries.
It was fun and hopefully we’ll be represented at some future summer events.
One of the things I love about Americans is how proud and passionate you are and how you celebrate days like this.
I guess we are proud Americans, sometimes good and sometimes not.
Thanks to you for being in the Parade and for sharing it with us all — and thanks to Bill for taking the pictures! It was a fun parade and definitely an interesting combo of things being honored.
You’re welcome, and thanks for the job. Bill will soon be blushing about his photog skills. 😉