Monday, August 6 - The Hall of Fame Grand Parade was this past Saturday, and Marsha was up front and center…really three rows back on the hill but she had a great view. Each year her brother, Rick, gets free tickets to sit at the Civic Center. They have a free buffet breakfast before, during and after the parade. Rick, Chris and Marsha sit, eat, and watch the parade pass-by.
The HOF Grande Parade started in 1963. That first year, an estimated 40,000 spectators gathered on the three-mile parade route. That first parade in 1963 featured 93 units, including 17 bands.
In 2006, the Timken Co. assumed the sponsorship role for the parade. It is now called the Timken Grand Parade.
Today, nearly 200,000 spectators lined the 2.2 mile route. The 2012 parade featured over 100 units.
The South Shore Drill Team from Chicago entertained the crowd. There were great!
The Timken Grand Parade has something for everyone!
Class of Enshrinees. There were six.
Many returning Hall of Famers.
Giant Helium Balloons
Floats
HOF Queen and Court
Animal Units
This one was interesting.
Bands, cheerleaders and majorettes.
We had two nieces (one a cheerleader; one a band member) and one cousin (majorette) who marched in the parade.
Our niece, Laura plays the quad drums for Canton South High School.
Many more unique and fun specialty units.
It was a super parade. Everyone did a great job. Our hats off to all the volunteers.
Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y'all back real soon. Have a great day!
Sounds like a wonderful day. However, you seem to have great days no matter where you are. Good for you!! Go enjoy yourselves some more.
ReplyDeleteGee, you guys return home and they throw a huge parade. That was sure a nice gesture.
ReplyDeleteI love a parade and this looks like a great one.!!
ReplyDeleteI love a parade and this looks like a great one.!!
ReplyDeleteWow! What an event...had no idea. Looks like a parade well worth the effort to watch!
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a great parade!
ReplyDeleteYou'll have to forgive me ... none of the names of the enshrinees or the past HFers mean anything to me :-( ... but I love the zebra.
ReplyDeleteBest parade I've been to all year. Thanks for bringing us along.
ReplyDeleteI love a parade. No bagpipes? They make me cry. Must be a culture thing.
ReplyDeleteGreat parade, have not seen camels in one for a long time:)
ReplyDeletegreat day for a parade!!!
ReplyDeleteI'll add my 2 cents worth - great looking parade.
ReplyDeleteGayle Sayers looks like he could still play - the best running back I ever saw!
I had to show that picture of the referee and zebra to my husband--he's a football official.
ReplyDeleteSomehow I never associated camels and zebras with football. But I do love a great parade. And what did Paul do while you guys were viewing and eating?
ReplyDeleteThat was fun -- fun for you being there, and fun for us to share it. Our local parade for the 4th of July is usually not much to see. Suzy and I helped build a float one year (for the Knights of Columbus) and got to ride in it for the parade. Fun!
ReplyDeleteNothing like a good ol' fashion parade with bands, floats, balloons, animals, celebrities and specialty groups!
ReplyDeleteThe only guy I recognized was Gayle Sayers, but I suppose that's because he played for the Bears. :)
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a great day and a wonderful parade. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWe love a good parade and this one looks great
ReplyDeleteNot being much of a sports fan, I didn't recognize most of the people on the cars. However, I did recognize thosse balloon folks.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great parade. Loved the picture of the Zebra leading the zebra!! Enjoyed the photos. Haven't seen a good parade in quite a few years.
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