Reflecting back on the Parade

One of the few events I try to attend each year is the Stokes Stomp on the banks of the Dan River. The weather is warm and clear but not hot so the candy that is thrown from the floats doesn’t turn into mush if left on the ground.

Fist full of candy

The spoils

As it is the 9/11 weekend there are lots of Fire trucks in the parade and they continually sound off presenting a cacophony of sound all along the two-mile route to Moritock Park.

The highlight of the day for me however, is the entertainment preformed on the main stage by the ‘Intellectually Disabled’ group. WOW what entertainers and WOW what talent. The professionals that came on later could learn from this group of amateurs.

They brought a level of enthusiasm that is infectious and engaging. And also having an Elvis impersonator in the group complete with an assistant to wipe the sweat off “the King” was brilliant. Once Elvis left the building he was replaced by the “Blues Brothers” that continued to rock the stage and draw the crowd to sing along and dance. This group of talented folks brought the “stomp” to Stokes County.

The performance is closed out with a rousing flag waving song to honor the 9/11 tenth anniversary. What was also striking here was all veterans and first responders were invited down to the front of the stage area to be honored and the crowd spontaneously lined up to shake the hands of these local hero’s… say what you like about country folk but they have a sense of community in perspective… God bless em.

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Its just Rock and Roll