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We Love a Parade

Saturday, July 23, 2011
Putnam County Fair time officially arrived Friday evening when the annual 4-H Fair Parade stepped off despite temperatures in the upper 90s and a downtown reading of 102 degrees. The Murat Shrine Motorcycle Club spells out its name early in the proceedings.

Fair Queen contestant Samantha Croan tosses a handful of candy to the crowd at Friday's Putnam County Fair Parade.
Emerging as the first-place Youth Division float was one of the most enterprising entries, created by the Greencastle Stars. The fair continues through July 30.
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  • How do you have a parade without a single marching band? This is the first Friday night parade that I have attended because I just moved back to the area. It was just sad. It used to be so much fun with a couple hours of shriners, floats, bands and almost every group from the area. What the heck has happened?

    -- Posted by rukiddenme on Sat, Jul 23, 2011, at 9:48 AM

  • Might have sat it out due to the heat combined with their heavy uniforms. Just a thought.

    -- Posted by TheColonel on Sat, Jul 23, 2011, at 11:36 AM

  • TOTALLY AGREE with Rukiddenme... I just moved back as well and went to see the parade in the heat, although I know that it was very HOT! I couldn't believe that there was not 1 county Marching Band. It's like WHY? I have lived in Avon for 15 years and there marching Band in the # 1 Marching band in the Nation. They should of asked them to perform in it if our county bands didn't want to, People would of been Blown away at the Quality. Even local restaurants should of handed out gift certificates for a free drink or something to get more business! And why NO shrines, Floats, Greencastle Cheerleaders, CLOWNS??? It's a Parade... WOW!!! NONE of this happened. If I were in charge of this event every year I would make some connection with the right people to insure and GREAT PARADE for our Community. thanks for reading :-)

    -- Posted by Jumpingfish on Sat, Jul 23, 2011, at 12:01 PM

  • My child is in the marching band at North Putnam. The superintendent decided to sit them out due to the excessive heat warnings.I feel this was the right call. I was worried about her welfare. The risk from the heat was not worth the enjoyment. Although the kids really wanted to march, it wasn't worth it.

    -- Posted by taz1665 on Sat, Jul 23, 2011, at 1:04 PM

  • Just think how miserable it would have been for participants and parade watchers if it were held on Sunday afternoon like it used to be done?

    As far as some entries withdrawing because of the heat, it's too bad they did but certainly understandable.

    -- Posted by purple_heat on Sat, Jul 23, 2011, at 1:58 PM

  • The marching bands and all other bands decided not to join the parade this year due to the heat. Also most of the horse groups decided this aswell. They did have a good turn out fot as hot as it was. Thank You to all who participated and to the spectators for sticking it out in the heat.

    -- Posted by familygirl on Sat, Jul 23, 2011, at 3:10 PM

  • Familygirl, not sure where you got your information, but while the patrons of the parade were whining about the bands not participating, the EMERALD COMMAND MARCHING BAND from CLOVERDALE was participating in a band contest. They have been practicing in the 100+heat, with drum harnesses, tubas and other heavy instruments, standing at attention. They will participate in another contest tonight as well as next weekend, prior to their big event, Indiana State Fair Band Day. Last year, the Emerald Command took top honors for small band. And kellicamp40 of Avon, I don't recall the Avon Marching Band competing at State Fair. Our children may not have the financial backing that Avon has, but they have hearts of gold and strength of steel. They deal with ridicule of others calling them "band geeks" and so-called friends asking why they are going to band practice AGAIN. Our band goes to the Carmel 4th of July parade where spectators CHEER them on. What a novel idea...encouraging the kids. For all the sports fans out there, yes, bands do things besides perform at halftime of games where patrons mingle around, going to the concession stand and restroom, making the band feel underappreciated yet again. Feel free to join us in the grandstands at the state fair on August 5th beginning at 9am. The Emerald Command performs at 4:16 that afternoon.

    -- Posted by EmeraldCommandMom on Sat, Jul 23, 2011, at 4:05 PM

  • who cares

    -- Posted by hardtobelieve on Sat, Jul 23, 2011, at 5:13 PM

  • I have seen the hard work that bands put in before their marching season and football season. I think they put in more hours of practice than the football team. With that being said, people go to the football games on Friday nights to watch the football team play. The band's performance is to fill a void during the halftime. I'm sure some cheerleaders feel under appreciated as well on a Friday night as people don't pay attention to them. However, there are seperate competitions on other days that are all about the bands or cheerleaders. On any given Friday, it's about the football team. The bands, cheerleaders and fans help make that entire evening a fun filled atmosphere and event that you want to go back to the next week.

    -- Posted by purple_heat on Sun, Jul 24, 2011, at 1:28 PM

  • Kudo's to all that participated in any way in the heat. Kudo's to band directors that took the health & welfare of their members into consideration also. I was in the Air Force & these conditions were far above red-flag conditions that prevented us from marching as soldiers even.

    -- Posted by Katydid1 on Sun, Jul 24, 2011, at 8:56 PM

  • There haven't been many bands in the parade these last few years...not like there was several years ago. I will say however that it was very dissappointing that the American Flag wasn't flown at the start of the parade. Possibly something that the Grand Marshall could fly? And I can't believe how many fire trucks are going through the parade this year and last year. It's ear piercing!

    -- Posted by smltwngrl on Sun, Jul 24, 2011, at 11:11 PM

  • I agree completely with taz1665. I was very thankful that the North Putnam musicians did not march Friday. It was too dangerous.

    -- Posted by phetbanz on Mon, Jul 25, 2011, at 9:51 AM

  • I like .the parade when I can go but this year I had to work 12 hours in this heat. I was trying to get home on 231 and traffic was backed up for so long and I have no other route to take since i live on 231. After a long 12 hour day and in sweaty clothes and feeling miserable I couldn't understand why coming into town on 231 had to take so long-the oncoming traffic was moving-sounds like someone was directing traffic unfairly-and good grief the parade is .downtown.

    -- Posted by peace2019 on Tue, Jul 26, 2011, at 2:30 PM

  • EmeraldCommandMom: the bands that were going to march decided not to. Good for your band and keep going. Not worth it to some people to march in a parade. Did not mean any disrespect so get over it. Was just letting the others know that there were scheduled bands in the parade but they were pulled due to heat.

    -- Posted by familygirl on Wed, Jul 27, 2011, at 12:48 PM
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