The Parade!
I used to get pretty excited about the annual "Traveler's Day Parade" held the day before the big "Buffalo Days" Exhibition of Regina.  My dad built floats for SaskPower, the Cooperators, and maybe some other corporations over the years.  He was always so proud of his work, able to transform a simple flatbed into a shiny, sometimes moving or spinning display.  If he won a ribbon in the parade judging, we all heard about it!
So, last night, Caylea and I made our way to park somewhere off South Saskatchewan Railway Avenue and grab a spot along Broad Street downtown to view the parade.  We made it just in time to hear the siren of the police escort car and catch the first of the dignitaries riding in convertibles, waving at the crowd.  This year, only the southbound lane was closed off for the parade route, so we dashed across the other lane and set up our lawn chairs in the meridian in the middle!  We settled in and began to wave to the mayor, the MP's and MLA's.
Years ago, the participants in the parade lined up just off the Dewdney Avenue sidestreets, as far as 13 block Montague Street, where we used to live.  Now, there are not nearly the entries of floats, marching bands and various business like their used to be!  The parade would be on a Saturday morning, and our kids would look out our bedroom window at 7:30 am as the drivers arrived to take their spots in the lineup.  Each of our kids got to ride with my Dad in his truck as he pulled the Cooperators float for many years.  It was a highlight of their childhoods, for sure.
Caylea and I chewed on sunflower seeds - "spits" - and sipped a can of pop.  We commented on different things we noticed about the crowd of people or the , reminisced about riding with Grandpa (Caylea went twice, the 2nd time being in grade 11!).  Across the street, we saw a lady waving frantically at us, and recognized it was a woman Walter and I curled with and her granddaughter!  We waved back, yelling across the road to send greetings.  Regina is a small enough city that one is likely to run into someone you know, no matter where you go!
The one sad or disappointing thing we noticed is that not one church or ministry had an entry.  But the Regina Pride and the cross-dressing nightclub each had a float with their patrons proudly waving from on top of the moving display.  We recognized someone we knew and it broke our hearts as we saw them publicly declaring their sexual orientation.  A young adult who had gone on missions trips overseas, has musical talent and potential to serve Jesus as they once had done...
This was the second reference I observed yesterday to a young person being confused about their gender and going against their Christian family and roots.  I know there are many theories as to the source of the confusion, from genetic and physiological reasons, to abuse and rejection, to personal choice.  I am not going to delve into that area today; but I am saddened to see such unhealthy displays of identity, when Jesus wants to show forth His image and glory through us!  Something to ponder...
As a few horses trotted by, some baton twirlers and the police marching band passed us, we smiled and enjoyed the colours and sounds and variety.  We laughed at the poor young man whose job was to scoop the poop from the horses!  We were pleasantly surprised when a local florist shop handed us free flowers.  Of course, we laughed out loud at the cute little Shriners' in their bright red fez hats, driving in circles in those tiny cars!
All too soon, the final cars, street sweepers and police escort signaled the finale.  We stood, folded our chairs and looked for a break in traffic to cross the street.  In no time, we were heading back home, thankfully avoiding any jams as I pulled a U-turn and cruised back along S.S. Railway Ave.
The parade of  2016.