Our 4th of July!!

Last year on the 4th of July it was very hot and I was VERY pregnant, so we didn't get to go to the 4th of July parade. So this year we were all geared up to go to the BIG parade here in town. Unfortunately Oliver ended up taking a nap during the parade time so we missed it. However, we were not to be discouraged, we would have our 4th of July parade, do or die. Zack saw that a small neighboring town named Tallapoosa was having a parade later in the day. And it was on! We went to said town, which was very small, basically a few stores in the old downtown, not that there is a new downtown, and a few houses, but what followed once we arrived was nothing short of spectacular, patriotic if you will! We found that the 4th of July can be fun indeed while in the south! What was so great about this southern 4th of July? Let me tell you:


1. It started out with a bang at the local dive BURGER CHICK!! Zack kept trying to telling me that it was suppose to be Burger Chic, but I knew better-- it was Burger CHICK all the way! Zack only gave them a 8 out of 10 stars because the drink he got had about a 2 to 10 ratio of drink to ice, one slurp and it was gone. They did however have some pretty tasty chicken fingers that came along with a totally smushed roll. Mmmm....now that's what I call tasty vittles. But we did get to watch all the locals gear up for the big parade while eating.


And then Oliver got to be taxied around while waiting for the parade.




2. We were standing next to this crazy guy that was missing his 4 top front teeth, and some others I'm sure!! He was great a little local flavor. We chit chatted a little with him while waiting for the parade. No photo here as that might have been a touch tacky. Southern gentleman? enough said.




3. The parade begins with--The Rebel Band! Oh yeah. No high school band for this town. It's all about the REBEL BAND!! Sure they played the typical patriot songs, but I could detect a note of Confederate rebellion in those horns. I was surprised at this parade since there was no clapping or cheering of any sort. People were just standing there watching. Blank faces. Children running after the thrown candy apparently on mute, and Oliver trying to step on the other children's candy, as seen in picture above. So the usual army truck with troops, the Mayor, city council, the local church (handing out refreshing bottled water I might add,) all go by and there is nothing except the sound of Shannon cheering, whistling, and clapping. But then.....



4. The Sons of the Confederate. You better believe people started clapping and cheering then!! The cannon was pretty cool I have to admit. And wait, is that Santa Claus? Was anyone else aware of his affiliation with the Confederates? You think you know someone. After this point in the parade there was again no cheering or clapping until.....



5. The Confederate flag dune buggy. But this was no ordinary confederate flag, no no, this flag had the words "GET 'ER DONE" printed right on it! Wow now that's awesome. Not much else to say except this could quite possibly be my favorite portion of the parade. (Unfortunately the words couldn't be seen in the picture.) After this the parade sort of took a slide to just your regular cars and some people riding horses. But all in all it was a great parade. I know we sure enjoyed it, and I wouldn't be surprised if the south did rise again!



Oliver's feelings? Confederate Rebels Rock!!