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Independence
Day Parade, Colbert GA
(Usually on July
4th, this year on the 2nd)
Well, I hope you all had a pleasant holiday; mine was excellent. Saturday,
July 2, 2005 I did the Colbert (Georgia) July 4th Parade; it was a lot of
fun. My wife has lately been suffering (literally) with an allergic
reaction...much worse that the usual poison ivy or oak and her
dermatologist said no sun...to cut down on the sweat/itching. So, I was to
ride by myself.
I went to the staging area and was directed to the back of a field where
the "antique cars" were lining up. "Sorry" I said, "not only can I not
make it over the ridges between here and there, but with 3 inches of
ground clearance, I'm sure to start a fire." They found me a place to wait
up near the front...where the "dignitaries" (Grand Marshall, Mayor, Canna
Queen...) cars were lined up. About 15 minutes before the parade was to
kick off a young woman came over, distraught. Seems the "guest of honor"
didn't have a ride...somebody didn't show. "Would you mind giving Mr. Reed
a ride?" "Well, I don't know...is Mr. Reed a large man or will he fit?"
She thought a minute and replied "Oh, Ralph won't have any problem
fitting".
Ralph Reed...? Yep, former head of the Christian
Coalition, Bush '04 Southeastern Campaign Leader, and currently running
for Lieutenant Governor of Georgia. We had a great time...he throwing
candy to the kids, mugging for the cameras, and waving all the while; me,
watching the temperature gauge and keeping plenty of separation between us
and the car in front so everyone could get a good look at Ralph (I figure
we're on a first name basis now since he rode in my car). I let the
campaign workers put a couple cardboard campaign posters on the doors (low
tack masking tape...I checked!!!), some red, white, and blue ribbons, and
a couple larger American flags sticking up behind the head rests to match
the smaller one I had already attached to the radio antenna. BUT, Ralph
had to ride in the seat...NO ONE rides on the rear deck! The parade winds
about 12 blocks through beautiful downtown Colbert and takes roughly an
hour to cover. I let Ralph out at the reviewing stand so he could get up
there and do some speech making and glad-handing...I headed over to the
trailer to load up, satisfied in knowing Ralph had the classiest ride of
his parade life.
 
Regardless of your politics (I happen to be a conservative registered
Republican that would have voted for Ralph even before I met him) on July
4th WE'RE ALL AMERICANS and Main Street in Colbert, Georgia is a great
place to be one!
I finished off the day with a cruise-in to the Varsity
in Athens; talking cars with friends...most of whom I'd never met before,
listening to '50s music, and admiring the classics...both the cars and the
owners.
I hope yours was equally enjoyable!
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