March 4, 2006
2006 Texas Independence Day Parade
Location: Austin, Texas
What has become one of our club’s larger events, the parade now known as Celebrate Texas was a resounding success. We had twelve vehicles ranging from quarter-tons up through the big ‘pick-up’ as Rory calls it – his Five Ton M813A1.
Texas is a unique state in that we celebrate our statehood every year. It’s something we are fiercely proud of. The actual birthday was March 2nd, and the parade is held on the closest weekend, making it the 4th this year.
Around 9:00 everyone started to pull in including Scott S with his M38A1, Danny K and his M151A2 and M416 trailer, Toby with his MB, Rick and his M38A1, John K and his MB along with Kaylee, Jeff and Conrad along with the MB, Tim and his early slat-grill MB, Rory and his kids Caitlin/Patrick/David, and Jeff L driving the 404 Unimog. Then John SS shows up walking as his M35A2, M832 trailer and 530 shelter were already staged on the bridge!
We staged early on the Congress Ave bridge and mingled around. The weather went from cool, to sunny, to windy and colder, back to sunny and warm prior to the start. Promptly at 11:00am, the cannon fired and the 2006 parade started.
We meandered up Congress Ave with a good number of spectators lining either side of the street. When we stopped at the announcers booth, John K was mentioned as having Miss Deaf Texas, Tara McAvoy as his passenger. We continued up to the capitol, made the turn and headed South back to the bridge where everyone scattered.
This year was an excellent turn-out and we can add another distinguished guest as a rider.
