Helping With the Parade

 I know this is so passé, heh, which I've got quite a few more "old" posts coming up, but I really wanted to blog about this!

This last 4th of July I volunteered with the HAM radio group at the Freedom Parade in Provo UT.  I've only been to it a few times, even being in it about a decade ago dancing on a float with the LDC choir, but this was my first time volunteering.

 It's crazy how many people stay the night!!

 Where I worked, shadowing the second person in charge, relaying messages and so forth with my Dad.  I was at the point where the floats, bands, and VIP merge into the Parade, which was amazing!

 There are Three things that always brings a HUGE response from the audience: BYU, the Veterans, and the missionaries.

 Mike Lee, who is one of Utah's Senators, was in the parade, as was Jason Chaffetz who walked beside his vehicle.

 Ciera Pekarcik, the "Smart" Miss Utah from the Miss America line of competition.

We had to use air balloons thanks to the expense of Helium . . . which is attributed to politics and shortages . . . which leads me to mention that we didn't have a fly over thanks to the sequester . . . because fly overs and White House tours are what the government chooses to cut . . . 

Anyway, I had a fantastic time and can't wait to help out again.

Pioneer Day/Spanish Fork Fiesta Day Parade

Last month my Dad told my brother Steven and I what he wanted for Father's Day, and that he didn't want anything else; He wanted us to get our Ham radio licenses.  (Of course I already bought his gift, which was a vintage looking Captain America comic themed lunch box.) When I was a kid I wanted a license, but back then you had to learn morse code; no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't learn it.  A few years ago this requirement changed.  My Dad wanted us to get the license so we can help at events.  The local ARES group works the parades, races, and events so everyone can practice communication, so that during an emergency our Ham radios can be used to help with communication.  The ARES and RACES groups proved that all this training they do isn't in vain when they volunteered their time during the fires this past Summer. I was given the opportunity to help with the Spanish Fork Parade and practice my ham radio skills.  Back to the parade!

The group below set the pace of the Spanish Fork Fiesta Parade.  They fired a loud cannon and then fired weapons, giving the kids next to me quite a shock.    

Proof we're in Spanish Fork!!

More fun Parade entries I enjoyed.

All the Utah County Queens showed up for the festivities.  Below, on my most favorite float in the parade, is Miss Pleasant Grove with her attendants.  Also shown below is Miss Payson, Miss Nephi, and Miss Provo. 

Below is Mater!!  Unfortunately he broke down and I had the opportunity to make sure the lawn mower got off the street, and then report to Net Central what had happened.  

Another huge task we had was keeping the kids safe.  A lot of the groups throw candy to the kids, but the candy doesn't always make it to them, so the kids run into the street, which is dangerous.  A year or two ago a boy ran to the middle of the road; thankfully the driver of the float noticed and stopped within 5 feet.

Me in my gear after the parade.  It was awesome!  Steven and my Dad helped find lost children in their sections.  Unfortunately after the parade I found out that my sound mike was too close to my mouth which caused my voice to be muffled.  I would have liked to know this sooner, but that's the point of these exercises.  It's better to learn these problems during an event instead of during an emergency when lives are in danger.

Have a great day!!
Sarah