Snake Saturday

Every year for St. Patrick's Day, Brookside turns green and everyone claims some Irish heritage. There is usually a pretty big turnout, regardless of the weather, but this year it was sunny and low 60's, which seemed to boost the crowds.

I don't think there are many (any?) entry limitations to be in the parade, and it's often whimsical and offbeat.

Noah was initially a little freaked out by some of the entries as the parade started and kept hangin back, but once Mandy reminded him about all the candy that gets tossed out during the parade, he decided a front row seat wasn't so bad, especially if Mom was with him.

Lots of dogs in the parade. We had the usual basset hound brigade, but this was the first year I've seen the wiener dogs.

Top o' the morning...

Just some Irish family. Liked the firetruck.

The marching something-or-others.
Big crowd. Looking up towards Hoopers from the corner across from CVS.

Crowd control. Usually these guys end up covered in silly string before the day is over, but it was early.

Ok, marching dogs is one thing, but the Renaissance Festival characters?

Elliot slept through all of the celebration - sirens, firetrucks honking, hot rods revving, bands, etc.
Apparently this guy must have stolen that little girl's bike.

Creepy clown. Aren't they all, but this one was especially nightmare-inducing up close.
This seemed like it would have been one of the most fun floats to be on. Looked like just a group of friends having a blast

Hey, who's that guy talking to Noah?

"The Funk" - Mayor of Kansas City, Mark Funkhouser.

He had already walked through the parade route, and was just hanging out on the corner watching the rest of it go by. When he picked Noah up, the first thing Noah said was, "Candy, pwease?" He got denied like a developer asking for TIF money. Or as Mandy put it, he got shut down, just like the city council. Kidding aside, he was very gracious.

Walking home...

He made it a long way, walking there and most of the way back.