A reality based independent journal of observation & analysis, serving the Flathead Valley & Montana since 2006. © James Conner.
Fireworks were banned, but not balloon burners, so those who braved predicted high temperatures and winds to watch Kalispell’s Independence Day parade were rewarded with 40-foot-high flames that must have made fire marshals wince. I certainly felt the heat.
And I certainly heard what might be the loudest truck in the world. It had no place in a parade celebrating freedom. Neither did concrete-mixer trucks, candy throwers who threw at me, and squirts with giant squirt guns who hosed the crowds and photographers. Missing, of course, were high school marching bands playing patriotic music; a continued embarrassment, this absence.
Fortunately, there were many fine moments during the parade. Here are some of them:
The balloon company is 2FlyUs.com, with operations in Kalispell and Phoenix, AZ.
Women of the color guard, leading the parade.
Their fighting hearts really are that big.
A good natured group lined up in the shade behind me.
They received cheers from the crowd, a welcome change from the sixties.
Dave Fern, past chair of the Flathead Democratic Party, and Lynn Stanley, current chair, lead their party up Main Street.
Montana Lt. Gov. Angela McLean marches with the Flathead Democrats.
McLean working the crowd. She’s holding a roll of Bullock stickers.
Roxanne Brothers, one of many local Bernie boosters.
A long parade for this lad.
The Northwest Montana Patriots, clad in their Rosie the Riveter outfits. Their numbers roughly matched those of the Flathead Republicans.
A poster worthy patriot.
Rep. Ryan Zinke on horseback. He usually marches, so perhaps he was injured. Dour John Fuller is on the right, holding the sign.
More Republicans riding — but unlike Fuller, smiling.
Mike Fellows, well known Libertarian Party candidate, in his latest Libertarianmobile. He always pauses briefly to help photographers get a good shot.
The loudest truck in the world. The freedom it was celebrating was the freedom to bruise eardrums and rattle fillings.
Who let these squirts in the parade?