Faribault Heritage Days Parade 2015

I've always enjoyed announcing the Faribault Heritage Days Parade, and this year was exceptionally fun. You couldn't have asked for better weather, the clouds moved out and parade time temperature was 81 degrees.

There were 82 units listed in my parade script book. Thanks to Donna Crowl, Noelle Miller and the other parade organizers for their hard work. I just sit and read for the most part, so they are the heavy lifters and it is greatly appreciated. After the parade I stopped by Central Park, which I always do, and a number of people commented how much they enjoyed this year's parade.

June 1 marked year 28 for me at KDHL Radio, and I have to say after three or four different locations from which to announce the parade over the past 26 or 27 years, I really enjoy my perch by Parker-Kohl Funeral Home. The route change was nice, too. There's a lot more shade on this route than there was along Fourth Street. I know there are people who would like to see the parade go through the downtown area again, but this route is also much easier for the participants because there aren't many turns.

I love the floats, and this year there seemed to be more of them. I always enjoy the musical units. The Crusader Marching Band was a big hit and they did an excellent job of staying in their lines, which I remember from my band days is essential. The lineup of champions was an excellent idea and it would've been nice to see representatives of all the teams in the parade, including the Minnesota Class C Amateur Baseball Tournament fourth-place Faribault Lakers, who also received the Sportsmanship Trophy for their efforts last fall.

It's very cool to see all the churches that participate in the Heritage Days Parade. I've announced parades throughout the area and nobody has more churches participate than Faribault. They are vibrant members of our community and can really impact our quality of life.

I always enjoy visiting with the kids around my truck perch, and had some very bright and talented young people near me this year. We should be appreciative of the men and women who teach the youth of the community and it was great to see Faribault Education Association members and teachers and administrators from Bethlehem Academy and Divine Mercy Catholic School marching.

It's my belief we need to always be thankful for the men and women who put their lives on the line for us each and every day, and there's no better way to voice our appreciation than during a parade where we can stand and put our hands together and yell "thanks" to the police, fire and ambulance workers and, of course, our veterans. Without the veterans we wouldn't even be able to enjoy watching a parade on a gorgeous summer day in Faribault.

Speaking of veterans, how about parade Grand Marshall Liz Strohfus at 96 years of age waving to the crowd with the vigor of some of the young queens on the various floats. I remember covering her induction into the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame many years ago, and she's still full of spunk and one of the most genuine people you will ever meet.