• Tuesday-What'sUP July 8 - 08:14 pm

I was in Gay, MI on the 4th, to watch the parade, but forgot my camera, so I was happy to see an email from Joe Kirkish with pictures from the annual event out there.

The festivities always start with the parade, which is scheduled for 2:00, but is usually at least 20 minutes late getting going. The Keweenaw County Sheriff, Ron Lahti, was in the lead, with the Sherman Township fire truck right behind him. The various floats and entrants follow after that and range from hoola hooping youngsters, to people and horse drawn buggies and carts.

This year's highlight of the parade was the gorilla named KONG, riding a tricycle (photo #5). His person had a King's robe and crown on, driving a lawnmower that the tricycle was hooked to. KONG's feet were strapped to the pedals and the faster the lawnmower went, the faster KONG pedaled. It really was something to see, I just wish we had a video to share here today. It would definitely put a smile on your face.

So the parade goes down one street in the little town, where people have lined the sides to watch it pass by and as soon as it does, everyone heads down the block to the next street to watch it go by once more.
After that, everyone gathers between the Gay school grounds and the Gay Bar, where you can get refreshments and a hot dog or a brat. If you're looking for something sweet to eat, the Auxiliary hosts a Bazaar and Rummage Sale, where you can buy homemade goodies and sit down to enjoy them, after checking out all the treasures that have been donated to sell or bid on their silent auction items.

Joe's last shot is just a few of what seems like at least a hundred motorcycles that fill the huge lawn near the Community Building each year. It is quite the sight with them all lined up there. I wonder if anyone has ever done a count of how many people make their way out to Gay for these festivities every year?

Love going to Gay Michigan! They sure know how to put on a parade! Entries for every category! I salute you Gay Michigan!

Small town folks definitely know how to have fun! Thanks, Joe, for sharing that fun with us.

There were so many security issues over the weekend, it’s nice to see people gathered together and enjoying themselves without having to fear of some possible act of violence.
Nice job with all the pix!

BTW...did anyone notice the haze over the weekend that was caused by the smoke from the wildfires out in Washington? It turned the sun reddish-orange at sunset.

Small town parades are the best. We've been going to the ones in
Ishpeming or South Range for many years.

...correction; Canadian wildfires.
http://alg.umbc.edu/usaq/

I've never had the pleasure of going to the Gay
parade. (And Kosk, you should try the Lake Linden
parade.) This one sure looked like fun!!!

When we lived in Red Jacket, Nat and I took the roadrunner to Gay for the July 4th festivities. I hadn't planned on being "part" of the parade, but one of the organisers immediately came up to us and said we want this (the car) in the parade; get lined up! Despite the fact it wasn't cleaned up, it was a major hit.

Thanks for the pics, Joe. I went to the South Range parade on the 4th over 35 years ago. What I remember were lots of goats and garbage trucks in the procession. Gotta love it.

The Gay Parade....in beautiful downtown Gay....I
remember when it first started. It was so small, it
went around the block twice! LOL....You ain't lived
till you've experienced this parade. NO question.
It's a parody on parades...and a MUST at least once
in your life!

OK, now i want to see a picture of the Roadrunner!!! In the parade or otherwise!

Great pics! Gotta love the Gay parade!

Looks like a lot of fun.

Unfortunately I don't have any from the Gay parade, but I do have some from a weekly car gathering nearby.....

Guess it would help if I actually attached the photo!

Me too, Jbuck. I'm visualizing a lime green Roadrunner that I saw so many of while racing up and down Woodward in my buddy's 1969 Chevelle SS 396. And I must admit...one of those Roadrunner's beat us, but I wasn't driving at the time. :-)

Capt...you beat me at the punch, dude. That's the car that smoked us.

Ah, Capt Paul gets around!!! Nice wheels!!

Nice pix, wish I was U.P. there, that parade in Gay is great! Did make it to Petoskey and the Straits hospital's yesterday after spending the weekend in Boyne with sis. Next time in the north, I'm road tripin to Marquette, that's all there is to it!!

Janie, that's an adorable photo of your grandson and his pony. BTW, is 'Redman' an appaloosa?

Thank you Shirley, yes Redman is a Appy pony. Dylan was full of smiles and giggles. They had quite the conversation together.

Yeah, I bet! :)