I used to like parades and I still like some, but I feel like maybe I’ve lost some of my sense of whimsy lately. Here we are at the WBA parade, the kick-off to the Ramsey County Fair. Annika loves to go, and this year, we brought her new friend and her parents. They just moved in this past winter, so I don’t think they’ve been to this parade.

Mixed standing and sitting for the flag as it goes by. I think you’re only supposed to stand for the first flag officially in the parade. Some hyperpatriots stood every time and clapped.

“Sergeant Fuzz” is the grand marshal. He’s a puppy police dog. Good choice for the grand marshal.

Our new neighbors are hilarious. The woman announced the mayor walking by as “oooo it’s our brown-eyed mayor.” I think she thinks he’s attractive. She’s right; he’s pretty cute for a mayor and does have nice eyes.

The guy keeps commenting on each thing like “Oh, Sergeant Fuzz. Outstanding,” and “po-po band. Didn’t know we had one of those. Outstanding.” When I asked Annika if she really needed all those dum-dums that were handed out, he smacked me on the shoulder and said “of COURSE she needs those.” I like him.

The Winter Carnival procession seems shorter than usual. The kids got Vs on their cheeks and beads. That’s what matters. I love the pageantry of the Winter Carnival, especially the four winds and Klondike Kate. Good stuff.

Apparently dum-dums were on sale somewhere because that’s all the candy we seem to be getting. Ugh.

Shriners. They are always a mainstay in the WBA parade. I feel like they take too long to get by. I don’t need to watch old dudes on motorcycles for 10 minutes. They don’t have as many people in the parade this year either. Huh. I wonder why? They don’t have the chanters or some of the other stuff. Only four motorcycles. Only five go-kart guys. Weird.

Oh my. There is a super-antiabortion group. Wtf. They don’t even have candy. Or even little plastic fetuses like last year. Sad. There is a super-creepy looking truck, though, that has something about a fire eagle? Eagle on fire? And the guys (and it’s ALL guys) are wearing all black with a Star of David thing on their arms. Wow. Gross.

Republicans came over, saw the Amy, Tina, and Betty stickers, and didn’t give me anything. That’s okay. I never got anything Erin related… hmm.

The Legal Marijuana Now party has a sizable contingency in the parade this year. Good for them! Lots of marijuana flags and silly shirts. One of the drivers was puffing on something, I’m sure she was vaping for effect. One of the dudes handing out stickers has definitely partaken in his drug of choice. My neighbor dude joked “maybe they are throwing out fatties.” Wife said “yeah, that’d be nice.” I like them.

Right behind them are the cops from North St Paul. Got a weed sticker and a police sticker. Nice.

So that’s about it. It was a shorter parade than it used to be. No Vikings, radio stations (other than Go!), Saints, Timberwolves/Lynx, Wild, or Twins as we’ve had in the past. Only a couple bands.

The crowd was thinner than past years too. I wonder if people thought it would rain. It was nice, though. More relaxed than usual. Fewer police around and I didn’t see any altercations this year, which was nice.

Well done, WBABA and Ramsey County Fair! See you there!