2009 Friendswood Fourth of July Parade

The neighborhood gathers at Castlewood for our 35th opportunity to witness the Friendswood 4th of July parade
Alex arrives for her first parade and can't wait to check out the scene	Or at least show off her patriotic ensemble
Mark has been local longer & now brings Aimee & Matthew	Jerry, Donna, Linda, & first-timers Nena, Alex, & Margo
Alex has her cold drink but still is missing something	Now she is set to go with her cool, matching shades
The parade always starts with the Knights of Columbus	Grand Marshall Ed Stuart likes my Longhorn cowboy hat
The color guard brings forth the star spangled banner	Friendwood's mayor David Smith
Friendswood city council member Andy Rivera	Friendswood city council member Jim Barr
Friendswood city council member Leslie Reid	My congressman Ron Paul wouldn't be anywhere else
Yes Alex, that is your congressman too	David & Lorna both have shades & cameras ready
The Sheriff shows off his new matching fishing boat	Lady Liberty rides this year cause it's too darn hot
Uncle Sam on stilts leads the annual raffle car	Alex & Matthew gain a great view of the parade
Every Friendswood child rolls with the parade at least once	Cub Scouts Pack 445 propel themselves in the parade
The Kids of West Ranch have their turn in the parade	Immaculate 1955 Chevy Truck
This one draws a backside photo as well	Strong Ford F350 Diesel pulls a heavy load
Impressive moving liberty bell float	John Gay wants to replace Ron Paul in the 14th District
Girls Gymnastics group United We Handstand	FISD Board Rebecca Hillenburg (Pres) & Tony Hopkins
FISD Board Trustee Brandon Burris	Lady Liberty and Uncle Sam get the rumors started
Friendswood football players always ride so the parade won't last forever (45 minute mile)	And the second half of the tradition continues as the cheerleaders always walk
The Might Friendswood Mustang Band follows behind	And the Wranglerettes follow the Band
More Friendswood friends and family roll along	Friendswood United Methodist Church has a nice float
Here come the vehicles with sirens	The first group of fire trucks keep the sirens low
Alex, mom, & grandma have had enough & head for home	Alex has her cold drink and is ready to be in the parade
A riding cub scout troop other than my old group	Nice 1964 Chevy Truck
Clear Brook High band plays traditional patriotic tunes	And there goes the CBHS horn section off to the park
Korean Vet Bill Whipkey and Iraq Vet Ben Rho???	Special Friends wish all of Friendswood a Happy 4th!
2009 Lunar Rendezvous Festival Court	The Goddard School float rolls on by
1929 Ford Model A pickup	1969 Corvette leads a slightly newer model
The long time family space shuttle rides again	Judge John Ellisor of Galveston's District 122
Here comes the antique tractors!	Wow, an old John Deere
A red 1953 McCormick Farmall Super M pulls a wagon	Old looking planting tractor leads a Minneapolis-Moline
Matthew gets a great view of the antique tractors	Retired Lt. Col Fred Machol, who served during WWII takes his annual Independence Day ride
View of crowd watching the parade from the other side of FM518 at Castlewood
More crowd in front of the Montessori School right at Castlewood
Antique army vehicles follow the Lt. Colonel	Here come the fire trucks with sirens blaring
Matthew likes to look but not hear the firetrucks	Chrysler Minivan art-car emits a soothing whistling sound
First Baptist church having a kangaroo theme this year	The Democrats roll unopposed in the parade this year
Friendswood police show off their fishing boat	My old Troop 442 hasn't walked since I departed
The 4 F's: Friendswood, friends, family, & forever	Nice 1970 Corvette convertible
1970 Plymouth Barracuda	Cousin of the Dodge Challenger, again in production
1952 Pontiac Chieftain Deluxe	1950 Pontiac Streamliner Sedan Coupe
The Pontiac brand will soon pass by as well	Sweet 1962 Corvette
Muscleheads staff the final blatant advertising float	Friendswood Concert in the Park heads to the park
The vaqueros announce the parade is near its end	But there are plenty of vaqueros that must still pass by
Vaquero riding a side stepping appaloosa	The Texas Pony finishes up the horse brigade
Director of Community Services James Toney	The parade always ends with a police car, but not today