HOMER DAVENPORT DAYS PARADE

HOMER DAVENPORT PARADE

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Silverton, Oregon

Melanie, Oregon's 2009 Young Mother of the Year, and I enjoyed riding together in Silverton's Homer Davenport Days Parade on Saturday. We were driven by Bob Ovendale in his 1973 yellow MG convertible.

Helpning out in the parade were 4 of my grandchildren and 4 of Melanie's children plus my son-in- law and Melanie's husband. They walked ahead of the car carrying the banner and handing out candy.




The parade and festival is named after Silverton, Oregon's famous son, Homer Davenport, who became an internationally renowned cartoonist in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. The weather was perfect for a parade and the route just the right length. We loved the city of Silverton!

Mint Festival Parade

MINT FESTIVAL PARADE

Jefferson, Oregon

July 25, 2009

The Mint Festival Parade in Jefferson, Oregon had a real "down home" appeal. My husband, Steven, and I loved the country surrounding Jefferson; beautiful farms and wide open spaces.

I was priviledged to ride in a sporty 1927 LaSalle Cadillace Convertible owned and driven by Jeff Smith. The car has been in his family since he was 14. Several years ago he had it restored. It is a beautiful car and I appreciate his generosity in driving me in the parade.

Sandy Mountain Festival Parade

SANDY MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL PARADE

July 9, 2009

It was only fitting for me to participate in the Sandy Mountain Festival Parade since I consider Sandy my home town now.

I asked a longtime friend, Rollin Zaugg if he would drive me in the parade in his 1942 Dodge Command car that he restored and he graciously agreed! Again we decked the car out with flags and flowers and the kids dressed in their matching dresses and/or shorts and shirts.

We were entry number 6 in this parade and it was fun to ride in front of the hometown crowd. There was much cheering and clapping as we progressed along a fairly short and all downhill parade route.

The grandkids looked great in their matching clothes and cowboy hats. Two of the youngest grandkids rode in the car with me and Rollin drove. The weather was perfect. The kids waved flags along the parade route, even the 3 year olds in the car with me!

We took second place in the car carrying . . .category. YEAH!

St. Paul July 4 Parade

ST. PAUL 4 OF JULY PARADE

July 4, 2009

All 12 of our grandchildren were in this parade with me, including some from Minnesota and Utah. Four daughters, Telaina, Alisha, Meghan, and Nola and two son-in-laws, Steven and Michael also joined us. Our daughter Nola and her husband, Michael, provided their truck for a vehicle.









We decorated the truck with my signs, and flags and I carried flowers. All of the grandkids wore matching shorts, t-shirts, and/or dresses and many work red or blue cowboy hats.









The kids and grandkids passed out candy and carried the banner. We were also joined by Marilyn Dougall and her husband and daughter. Marilyn is a member of the Oregon Association of American Mothers and also on the National Board of American Mothers, Inc.






It was important to me that I participate in the St. Paul parade because we have been taking our family to the St. Paul Rodeo every July for over 35 years. All of our children and grandchildren either were in the parade or watched it. I felt so blessed to have us all together and for their kind support.

Keizer Iris Festival Parade

KEIZER IRIS FESTIVAL PARADE

May 16, 2009

My second parade was the Iris Festival Parade. We ended up being near the end of this large parade and it was a very warm day! Daughters Alisha and Nola and son-in-law Michael were a great support! Two sweet grandsons also joined in.

I rented a convertible and we decked it out with flags and my magnetic sign. We placed a flower arrangement on the back of the car and I held a bouquet of flowers. We all dressed in red, white and blue to complement the "American" theme of American Mothers, Inc.

The parade route was long and partly uphill and the day was HOT! It was hard on the walkers but I sure appreciated their support! The crowd was very friendly and cheered for American Mothers as we went by.

Note to self: Always wave and show enthusiasm when viewing a parade. Those in the parade apprecite it!

Teddy Bear Parade

Oregon City Teddy Bear Parade

May 9, 2009

Handcarts are us . . .since the theme of the Oregon City Parade was Pioneers in honor of Oregon's 150th Anniversary, my husband Steven borrowed a handcart made by a friend. We all - Melanie Hentrom, Young Mother of the Year, and family, our daughters Alisha and Nola and their kids, and Alisha's husband - donned pioneer attire and we were set!

Melanie's husband Will and my son-in-law Steven were great sports about pulling us in the handcart. This was our first parade and we had a lot of fun!

We even won the theme award for the parade - that was a big surprise, but I think the handcart was the secret to our success!

Kids and grandkids, grown and young were wonderful support, carrying banners and handing out candy. The weather was beautiful for most of the parade.

Melanie and I plan to be in more parades during the year!