Don't Rain on My Parade

As fireworks burst from the eastside of town at 3:00 AM this morning , others were quietly working on last minute tweaks to their floats for the annual Betterton Day Parade.  This year unlike many of the past, clouds loomed as runners gathered to kick off the day with a 5 K run. It was barely a little past 8 AM when a well muscled and oiled young man led the pack down Park to Bayside Boulevard whizzing by Betterton's award winning Unique Bayside Doc's Babka.  The amazing white poodle was not to be upstaged, although prohibited to enter the 5K, he hit the pavement hard to stay on the heels of the front runner until the Boulevard's foot bridge.  Boulevard residents were out in droves to support the "B" and the runners that followed.  As runners caught their breath and re-hydrated; friends, relatives and neighbors within the Jewel and from afar gathered along Main street and the beach to await the start of our Annual Parade.  While raindrops fell the crowd continued to gather with chairs, bikes, grand-kids and pets. As per usual the 10 AM start was delayed but worth the wait.  The parade of fire trucks from various locales seemed endless and inspiring, this year coming from both Maryland and Delaware.  Of course, our Mayor Carolyn Sorge, was just behind the front-line color guard and sported one of her wonderful bonnets.  Kent County's Band with Mark Mumford in the lead provided some great marching music that flipped all spirits to the positive despite the ominous cloud cover. This year's parade rekindled floats from streets, families and locales that bolstered its success.  As the clouds dissipated and the sun came out parade participators and onlookers began their walk through the vendor collection on the Beach.  As the B-blogger collected thoughts from the beach crowd, comments were disappointing and included concerns as to why the Fish Fry people were not here? The vendors seemed less diverse and purchase were therefore diminished. The most frequent feedback was "Can you believe the beer mugs are $7.00?" However, everyone loved the parade!  For those who were there and those who weren't go relive today's parade by clicking on to the following links:

Don't Rain on My Parade (Music)

Pictures of the Parade ( you will need to sign in, no cost involved)