4th of July Parade in Kailua

We went to Kailua's 4th of July parade yesterday.  Yes, yesterday was July 5, but when the 4th is on a Sunday they move the parade to a different day.  

This is the second time we've gone to the parade in Kailua.  BK (before kids) parades weren't as high on our event calendar as they are now.  The Kailua parade has lots of politicians in it.  Most of them are up for reelection and hope the shaka they flash you or the candy they pass out will win your vote.  This is definitely not a political blog and I'm not going to give free promos to anyone, so here's a picture of a candidate not up for reelection, Governor Linda Lingle.

The Kailua parade also is a chance for people to get all dressed up.  I missed Abe Lincoln but here's Uncle Sam and a very patriotic lady.

Missing in this year's parade were floats, with a few exceptions.  Here's one of the few and it was really beautiful.

I didn't get any pictures but there were a couple bands in the parade and a number of veterans groups.  Getting to applaud them was worth going for, in and of itself.

We hadn't made any specific parade-viewing plans, but ended up with a whole group of friends in the shade of pop-ups a wonderful person had gone early and put up for all of us.  The shade and the friends definitely made the parade.  Otherwise it would have been a pretty long and lonely two hours sitting in the sun.  Our boy gave the parade mixed reviews and come to think of it, our girl sat in my lap most of the time and whined a bit which isn't her usual happy social self so I guess she gave it mixed reviews too.  But all in all we were glad we went and it was a fun and festive way to spend part of the holiday.