parades...who knew they could be fun!

I never got into the whole parade jazz and so when Emily would tell me how much fun they are I wouldn't get as excited as she would. But I do have to admit they can be fun if you follow a few simple rules for making them fun.

1. Always look to see who owns the float or (in most cases up here) who owns the truck pulling the boat trailer. Once you know who it is you must enthusiastically cheer their name and be excited like you are here to see them. This will guarantee you lots of candy or tooth brushes or Frisbee's.

2. Always have a cute kid with you who has mastered the little guy wave. The more kids you have the better the results. Make sure they are dressed nicely cause kids in whitetrash overalls will not work.

3. No matter how cute the girls on the floats are, do not wave unless under the age of 12. Otherwise you just come off as a creepy fat guy. Smile and give the head node.

4. Sit at the front of the parade, the people on the floats or boat trailers have not learned how to conserve the candy so they give it out more plentifully.

5. Don't ever leave candy in front of your seats. People think you have had enough so they will not throw as much. Once you get a plethora of candy hide it behind the your seat.

6. Don't give kids bags to put their candy in. It looks tacky and don't let them run into the streets after it, people get turned off by that and will probably not throw a second handful.

7. Find some shade, you don't want to sit through a 2 hour parade with no shade but make sure you are visible to the paraders, it's very important.

If all these steps are followed properly you will get a lot of free stuff and your trip to the parade will be a happy and successful trip.