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State Line Heritage Days...
Grand Parade
entertains hundreds of enthusiastic spectators
By Elaine Bailey
Hometown spirit was near 100 percent on Saturday as little trucks, big
trucks, young queens and mature queens, villains and heroes, new
tractors and antique tractors, Democrats and Republicans wove their way
through the streets of Union City during the 2012 State Line Heritage
Days Grand Parade.
Chris and Sandy Hernandez, owners of Sound Sensations, emceed the
“Union City Has Spirit” organized by Marla Threewits. Streets
were lined with hundreds of visitors waving and shouting to the folks
passing on the parade route.
Hundreds of pounds of candy were thrown to the curbs as children later
were seen walking away with pockets, caps, strollers, and butterfly
nets overflowing with suckers, Tootsie rolls, and gumballs.
Children and adults reached for one of the 700 frozen Popsicles
distributed by employees of American Heritage Partners, an assisted
living facility north of the parade route. American Heritage
Queen Nadine Brooks smiled and waved to friends as she took front seat
in a vintage Cadillac.
The Mississinawa Valley marching band walked and performed along the
parade route. Cheerleaders and dance squads from both sides of the
state line punctuated the procession with routines and chants.
Spectators on the corner of Columbia and Oak, watched in suspense as
super-sized farm machinery and super-long wreckers towing super-long
fire trucks negotiated the ninety- degree turn. But all yielded
to the monstrosities in trade for a blast from the air horn.
At the conclusion of the parade, the midway swelled with friends and
family. Circus City Festival Incorporated from Peru, Indiana
provided the amusement rides and street fair games. Jana
Bruggeman, chairperson for the 2012 State Line Heritage Days reported
that she was pleased with this year’s midway.
“Circus City provided activities that were nice and clean,” she said.
“The workers were really friendly. It was great… for parents and
their children. I look forward to them returning next year.”
To stave the heat, fair goers relied on shaved ice, ice cold bottles of
water, or many tried a new item this summer…. smoothie in a
pineapple! Christine McLaughlin, from Indianapolis, created a
smoothie Jamaican style, topped with whipped cream and a paper cocktail
parasol. Just watching others sip on the island delight made one’s
temperature drop ten degrees.
Although the temperatures and humidity were high the final day and fast
moving storms bookended its start and finish, organizers are happy with
Saturday’s attendance and the spirit shown by those who participated.
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State Line Heritage Days Grand Parade Photo Set 1
Click here.
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State Line Heritage Days Grand Parade Photo Set 2
Click here.
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State Line Heritage Days Midway, following parade
Click here.
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