Houghton and Hancock was the location for the annual Parade of Nations and Joe Kirkish had a great vantage point just as the Parade participants came off the Lift Bridge. He said traffic was sent smoothly across the Portage Lake Lift Bridge on one side only and there were no problems, thanks to the police officer in the second photo, who directed traffic during the parade.

There were 72 groups in the parade, including the Michigan Tech Cheerleaders and the MTU Pep Band, which is always a big hit and LOUD, according to Joe. Many nations were represented, some with only a few people in the group. Joe thought there were less people, both in the parade and watching it, also. Weather could have been a factor affecting that, though. Those that did stand somewhere on the parade route to watch as the variety of nations proudly walked by, were not disappointed, especially the young kids, who of course enjoyed scrambling after candy thrown from the folks in the parade. All in all, it looks like a good time was had by all.

Counting the smiles...everyone loves a parade.

Looks like fun!! I enjoy listening to the MTU Pep Band when they are at Joe Louis Arena for the GLI'S!

Fantabulous!!

Wonderful pictures of a wonderful tradition!

What a nice tradition!

Those cheerleaders are cute.

What fun pictures. I've never been there for
anything like that. Maybe some year.

Not sure if it's still standard practice, but crossing the bridge was the only time during my participation that the Pep Ban(ne)d was allowed to march in step - the purpose of which was to try to find the correct harmonic/frequency to make the bridge bounce for the rest of the parade.

... in retrospect, that may have been a mean thing to do. ;-)