Remarkably, no rain on our parade

The day of the annual Holiday Parade came round again - and the weather was not promising.  It was very cold.  Late morning it started raining and it continued, dully and relentlessly, all day.

So I set off to the Town Hall in low spirits...yet somehow, by luck (or Santa magic?), the rain eased up, and it stayed dry for the duration of the parade.

I was coordinating not just Fair Trade marchers this year, but also (for the first time) a contingent representing Friends of Five Rivers and featuring (but of course) an owl and an otter.  We had willing volunteers for the costumes, the same guys that dressed up for the Memorial Day Parade a few months ago.  They did a great job - they are surely destined to have stellar careers as sports mascots.

More than a dozen Middle Schoolers turned out to hold Fair Trade posters and hand out FT chocolates, so big thanks to them.  The Boy and a friend also actively participated, holding our banner and shouting "Fair Trade!  Support your local campaign!" into an echo-effect plastic microphone (unfortunately rather drowned out by the fife and drum band playing Hark the Herald behind us, and the tractor trailer ahead belting out Jingle Bell Rock). 

Some of us then repaired to the church hall, where a good time and plenty of popcorn/cookies/hot chocolate was had by all...while outside the rain came down once more.