Celebrating Independence Day

Independence Day has just been celebrated this week across America. One of the best places to celebrate is in a small town.
   
On the 4th of July we were in Knowles - in Dodge County. Knowles is so small that it's not even an unincorporated "census designated place." 

But the people came from miles around for the Independence Day parade that made its way down the main street (and only one of three streets) of Knowles for 75 minutes. 

People were lined up three and four deep along the parade route. We had
a great view from the front porch of the home of our friends Amanda and Troy.    

The Knowles Fire Department started the parade. This department was joined by all the others in the area with their various tankers and hook and ladder trucks. Good thing the volunteer firefighters weren't needed to put out any fires considering that there are more fires on July 4 than any other day of the year. But then, those fires probably occur in the evening when fireworks are shot off.
   

The Lomira High School band was the only musical unit
in the parade.

These kids deserve a lot of credit for sticking around
for the 4th of July rather than going to the beach.

Veteran parade watchers know that LOTS of candy is thrown out by people riding on the "floats." Kids bring their bags and probably collect more of the sweet stuff in a little over than hour than they do at Halloween. And they don't even have to dress in costumes!

The candy throwers start at a young age.  

A few of the units in the parade moved on their own power. Most were pulled by either a truck or a tractor.

An educational message from a company that cleans up after a fire.

Fire seemed to be the theme of the parade. 

First, the Fire Queen.

Next, the Princess.

Finally, the next generation.

It wouldn't be a small town parade without the tractors. 

One of two Minneapolis Moline tractors in the parade.

Not many red tractors. Most were green John Deeres.

The horses brought up the rear as they do in most parades.

But there were no street sweepers to clean up.

We stopped by the Pike Lake House for a late lunch.

Rick and I both had the Texas Reuben - beef brisket, pepper jack cheese, cole slaw, and barbecue sauce. 

Tasty but very messy!

Rhythm & Booms has been a Madison tradition for 21 years. I've seen the fireworks across Lake Mendota in years past but this was the first year I had an unobstructed view at Warner Park on the north side of the lake. I was a guest of Wegner CPAs. Because of the cloud cover, the smoke from the fireworks didn't dissipate very quickly. By the end of the 30-minute display, the area looked like it was covered in a thick fog.

Ground action.

Some of the "booms" in the foggy finale.

Our greatest happiness does not depend on the condition of life in which chance has placed us, but is always the result of a good conscience, good health, occupation and freedom in all just pursuits. ~Thomas Jefferson (author of the Declaration of Independence)