The annual big celebration in Gowrie is the 4th of July when the population for the day grows from 900 to 10,000! Lots of events. The night before a street dance-- we heard the music most of the night. Then the parade starts at 10 am on July 4. Lots of farm machinery, the memorial flags and an assortment of local businesses.
Our group sat across from the Methodist Church (we are on right side of screen)
This is a panoramic view so some what distorted as the street doesn't actually curve, but its a good view of the crowd. Our group is on the left here.
The most impressive part of the parade is the wagons of flags each with a name placard of a military soldier that has now passed away. And of course the the music of "I'm proud to be an American" that accompanies these 7 wagons.
Verne Eklund 's flag towards front of this wagon (Roxanne's dad) he was in WWII and member of Gowrie Legion.
mike, Tom, Luanne,Grant, Molly(standing) Rachael, Kris, Darlene
Cow pie bingo- too much to explain, but none of us won.
Water wagon truck from the fire department. Everyone has to haul their water to the fires in the countryside.
Lots candy is thrown out to the crowds, even hots dogs, frisbees, etc
Our favorite float, American Gothic. By the Calender Luthern church- their new minister and wife doing a doing a Christian hip-hop song complete with all the "moves". really funny.
Lots of tractors. These are some from the "tractor ride" the day before. Notice the Swedish flag on the lead tractor!
Some of the tractors are huge!
A disc that does how many rows?
Sprayer
Three- wheeler!
Rachael, Mike, Darlene , Kris
Thrashing machine
The parade lasts about 2 hours so afterward you can go across the street to the Mthodist church and get a chicken dinner. They serve 500 dinners and sell out every time. Home pies! Some went for the chicken dinners and some of went back to Darlene's apt for dinner. Roxanne was cooking!
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