Sexy tractors and wild Irishes

Happy Fourth of July to all.

Used to be Sandpoint's Fourth of July Parade featured a float or two, a marching band, some twirlers, and lots of logging trucks, loud cars and horses. The parade marshal was often somebody everybody in town knew, like the mayor or a dedicated Lions Club volunteer. My longtime friend, Cliff Irish, "the Wild Irishman," used to stop his load of logs in front of the Tam o' Shanter, get out, grab a beer, and get back in to continue on the parade route. The crowd cheered wildly.

Over the years, logging trucks and loud cars have been replaced by Bert's mini storage units, giant Interstate Asphalt rigs or Litehouse Dressing floats. The marching band even quit marching for a while and started riding on the back of a truck so they could appear in the parade twice. And I haven't seen LaVerne Hebert marching and twirling in her gold silk dress and hat for years. Maybe when she turned 60, she threw in the baton.

This year, the "new" Sandpoint will be featured with parade marshal Georgia Shonk-Simmons. "Who's she?" you may ask. Well, Georgia's the big honcho for Coldwater Creek Catalog, Co. who's lived here for maybe five years. I hope they put a sign on her car so the locals know whom they're honoring today. I'm sure there may also be a Tomlinson-Black contingent or some other real estate dynasty reminding us that Sandpoint has been sold off to the rich outsiders, just in case we didn't know.

Before you detect any sense of local bitterness, I must announce that I still LOVE the Fourth of July parade here, in spite of the visible changes that clearly illustrate that our old logging/farming town culture is slowly fading away to the culturally elite. We still have reasons to celebrate when we head to town and line the sidewalks to watch what each year's colorful, eclectic street celebration has to offer.

As always, we'll happily salute the military contingents who have ensured our freedom through their sacrifices. There's still a logging truck or two; in fact, I'm hoping to wave at Rusty (Cliff's son) and Melissa Irish as they roll by in their spit-shined truck showing off a load of local logs. The Shriners always show up and remind us of all their humanitarian deeds. More than likely, a 4-H club or two will put together an exhibit and let us know their great youth organization is alive and well.

And Arnold will be there. Arnold Roberts, at 78-years old and always impeccably dressed in his Western attire, will carry the flag and lead his horse contingent. He'll be riding his 31-year-old white gelding. Arnold says his perennial appearances in area parades will cease when either he or his horse drops for a final time.

During the past several years, we've always gathered with the Thompson clan, since we're all related via marriages, cats and horses. More recently, however, the Thompson viewing contingent has diminished considerably because they now perform in the parade---on their tractors. At last count, I believe Jim Thompson and his siblings or nephews have exhibited up to eight John Deeres in past parades.

I'm told that the Thompsons will share the street this year with other members of the vintage tractor club, so our eyes will be treated to red, yellow and green along with the usual red, white and blue of the Fourth of July. I'm betting the crowd may love their show.

And so, thanks to these folks, farming, logging and the general rural life will not be forgotten as a part of our community's heritage. For that, I shall cheer loudly and enthusiastically as I watch them roll by.