Backstage Notes

Despite a rather hectic week of school, on Saturday I rose up early with a mission in mind. I carefully whipped on my mascara, chugged some coffee while I picked up an en- thusiastic fiancé, and together we drove to Waitsburg, where I witnessed my very first Cel- ebration Days parade. It was well worth the few hours of missed sleep.

In my twenty-six years, I have enjoyed many other parades. My mom used to take me and my brother to the Christmas parade in Walla Walla, and we would gladly shiver in the cold to see Santa. We almost always watched the Thanksgiving Day Pa- rade on TV every year, and during a couple of trips to Disneyland we saw some pretty scintillating ones. And I can't even recount how many "costume parades" I've seen in theater-where everyone prances around the stage for the director, wearing their entire show wardrobe.

But Waitsburg's Saturday morning parade was truly something special. As we stood in the sunshine on the corner beside the Mercantile, catching the scent of the flow- ers they had on their sidewalk display, I was taken with the whole thing.

I've always been a people- watcher. I thoroughly enjoyed scoping out, not only the parade participants, but the folks lining Main Street, as well. I couldn't help but giggle every time someone tossed a handful of candy toward the sidewalk, and a group of little ones raced out to scoop it up. Talk about cute!

It was obvious a lot of time and love went into preparation for this parade. The vintage cars were beautiful, as were all of the young ladies on horseback. The Waitsburg High School band was fantas- tic. Everyone was spiffed up, smiling, and waving.

There was such a sense of community on this very small stretch of road. It reminded me of a scene right out of a movie.

By the time the whole procession had made their first pass, I was feeling like summer had finally begun. So, we crossed the street and watched everyone make their way through a second time. It was a perfect way to spend the morning. Thank you, Waits- burg! I'm certain we will be back next May to do it again!