4th of July - Small town style

Sometimes when people are getting together who don't know each other very well, there will be questions asked to "get to know you". Whenever I was asked, "What holiday do you like best?", my reply was always, "4th of July in my home town." My home town is Pe Ell, Washington, population 664, or there abouts. The town actually has a place on a sign at town hall where the population is listed with removable numbers so they can change it when someone dies or is born or moves in or out. When we lived out on our property (60 acres), we would have great bbqs and fun with family and friends then light off fireworks. We are no longer living on our property so we just go out every year to go to the parade in town and this year we stayed for the fireworks at the school football field.

I love the parade in Pe Ell!! Number one, CANDY. The people in the parade throw candy to the people watching. The kids LOVE it - grownups too!! I think the kids pay more attention to the candy instead of the parade. Number two, the participants. Where else but rural america can you find a parade with ATV's, riding lawn mowers, tractors, farm animals and log trucks? There were some other cool cars and people running for office but basically it was a hometown parade. Just to prove it to you, here are some photos.

I don't think the little girl in the first photo was over 5 years old. Seriously.


It was a hot summer day and we had a lot of fun. Here are the kids digging into their candy bags after the parade was over.


Growing up in small town rural Washington, is a part of my life. It helped to define who I am. I am glad that I can give my kids the chance to experience many things this world has to offer. From Paris to Pe Ell, we can enjoy and appreciate all that life has to offer.