Independence Day

I hope everyone had a happy Fourth of July!

This was my last Independence Day as a Miss Teen. From here on out, the sentimental lasts are really going to keep on coming.

This Fourth of July was very reminiscent of last year’s. I had such a great experience at the Friendship Festival last year, that I contacted the festival organizers once again to see if they wanted me to help out at all. For those who missed my blog about last year’s July 4th Celebrations, the Friendship Festival is held in Buffalo, New York and Fort Erie, Canada every year, to commemorate the long-standing peace between the two cities just barely separated by Lake Erie. (Before the current friendship, the Americans and the Canadians used to really go at it.)

Early Sunday morning, dad and I drove down to Riverside Park. There I got to get to know the Friendship Festival Queen Ashley, Princess Genie, and Duchess Trish. The three girls were all teens who had grown up in and around the area. The four of us lead the Kiddie Parade. This year’s parade had an even better turn out than last year’s. There were decorated strollers, wagons, bikes, boys dressed up as army men, and little girls covered head-to-toe in red, white, and blue. At the end of the parade, the Friendship Court and I awarded prizes to the participants in every category, and then to all the participants. We also stopped to take a few pictures.

At noon, line up began for the Grand Parade. Line-up pretty much followed the same procedure as last year, except that this time around we had to manage in the scorching heat. All the weather people were saying that this was the hottest Fourth of July Buffalo had on record. I felt better knowing I was only in a light dress. My friends on the Friendship Court weren’t so lucky. They had to wear their evening wear from the pageant. That’s a lot of tulle and satin in 99 degree heat. Plus, they had tiaras. (Miss Teen titleholders really get off easy sometimes.)

The four of us piled into the convertible, and following Mayor Byron Brown, began the parade. Knowing how popular the parade was from last year, I made sure to bring extra candy. But, alas, we still ran out half way through. The girls and I did a lot of waving, smiling, and candy-throwing along the parade route, and it really seemed to make the community, especially the kids, happy.

At the end of the route, the girls and I quickly jumped out of the convertible and ran to the judges booth. We were put in charge of judging the floats, dance troupes, and twirlers. I’m obviously sworn to secrecy about my votes, but I can say that there were some really great entries.

When the parade was completely finished, I said goodbye to the Friendship Court, as well as the coordinators. I was really sad that this was the last year I’d be able to help out in this capacity. It was starting to be such a nice tradition!

On our way to the car, Dad and I also ran into Assemblyman Sam Hoyt. It’s an election year, so Hoyt and his volunteers were a big part of the parade. You may or may not remember that I presented Hoyt with an award in Albany back in March. I was happily surprised that he remembered me, and he asked me about what I had been up and what my college plans were.

I took it easy once I got home, resting up until I went to fireworks at the University at Buffalo.

The Fourth of July seemed to mean a little more this year. I think I felt a little more connected to and a little more appreciative of the veterans at the parade this year, because of some personal experiences. Just a few days ago, a really good friend of mine went off to basic training in the Army National Guard, and she’s preparing to eventually deploy to Afghanistan. She would kill me if she knew I was writing all of this mushy stuff, but she’s without internet for the next few months, so I don’t care! Anyway, she’s the just the bravest, most giving person I know, let alone one of the smartest girls in my graduating class, and it’s people just like her in our armed services that allow us to experience these peaceful July 4ths.

Thank you to everyone who has ever given of themselves and their lives to support our nation.

P.S. - On a lighter note, guess what? I graduated high school! If you want to check out my Salutatorian Speech, you can see it here. Please excuse the awful sound quality. I’m hoping to have a better version soon.