10 Things That Can Go Wrong With Your 4th of July Parade

Make no mistake. I am proud to be an American. And equally-proud to call America my home. I do not appreciate those who burn my flag thus trampling on what our veterans have died to preserve. I do not uphold so-called "peaceful" demonstrators, guaranteed by law to assemble and protest something or someone in our government, who try to convince me that burning buildings, homes, and businesses are all lawful in their protest permit.

All in all, dust and friction, I plan to stand by my country with friends or not. Sure I am taking a great risk of being tagged "Old Fashioned," but do you see any concern in my eye? And listen-up. I am not going to lose any sleep over any statement in this piece.

Many towns across America will hold their annual 4th of July parade this year like every year. Crowds will ine downtown--old and young alike. Kids will be eating ice cream cones sitting atop a parent or grandparent's shoulder in order to see the action. I truly believe that if one of these parades were canceled, life would not be the same for those who look forward to waving Old Glory, sprarklers, and lifting a sincere salute to what few dedicated veterans are still able to march in this noble activity.

To help keep this great American activity going, I want to share these . . .

10 Things That Can Go Wrong With Your 4th of July Parade

NOTICE:

"A Safe and Happy 4th of July to All of My Cherished-Followers and the Entire staff of HubPages."

Kenneth

1. Pretty cheerleaders or majorettes who choose to dance atop fancy floats are "disasters on two pretty legs" waiting to happen. If you are confronted with this situation, station someone within reach of these girls and make sure that they do not fall to the pavement. Otherwise, you can include the local ambulance company in our 4th of July parade.
2. Civil War or Revolutionary War re-enactors who insist on carrying their muskets on their shoulders are also a "powder keg" of trouble. Just what if one of the re-enactors takes a nip or two before the parade begins and he decides to fire his musket to show his appreciation for America? This can be dangerous. So check these guys and gals to make sure something stupid does not happen.
3. Live animals is always a dangerous thing. For example: "Hamilton," the "All-American Horse," who has been in most all of the 4th of July parades is a sure-fire crowd-favorite, but what if "this" one time he gets scared because of the huge crowd and commences to stand on his back legs and kicking people with his front legs? You are in deep trouble, bub. Then "Hamilton," chooses to break-loose from his terrified handlers and "run like the wind" straight for the crowd. Need I say more?
4. Never use REAL ammunition in any firearm including Civil War cannons. Be smart. Use "blanks." The face you save might be your own.
5. Make sure you tell the people who are underneath your floats driving the vehicle that pulls them through the street to NOT smoke for one small spark from a cigarette or cigar on dry crepe paper might cause the float to "go up in smoke." And that is far from good, clean fun.
6. Please prevent small children who are members of The Girl Scouts or other organizations to not be positioned in front of a huge float or exhibit for their attention span is not behind them, but in front. It makes good sense to put them in a safe place in the parade.
7. Tell your people who love to toss hard candy to the crowds along the street, to take it easy with their throwing. If these people toss their candy like former-Major League Baseball pitcher, Randy Johnson, "The Big Unit," someone's eye might get seriously-injured or some little kid's head might be hit and then you will have one angry parent or grandparent.
8. If you have live bands or singers in your 4th of July parade, be aware of drunk hecklers (in the crowd) who love to embarrass these people whose love is entertaining the crowds. One way to stop the heckling is if you see the heckler just yell, "I am calling the police . . . now."
9. Inform your parade staff that there will be absolutely NO fireworks set-off while the parade is making its way through your town. Even a small pop from a firecracker can cause fear to come on people who mistake the firecracker's bang for a firearm and panic. You do not want a crowd in panic. And tell your staff NO cherry bombs or M-80's. These are illegal in some areas.
10. Make absolutely sure that people who drive the cars and trucks with V.I.P's in them do not have their stereo systems blaring some indecent song. This can ruin the atmosphere of any 4th of July parade.