We were somewhat fried after our afternoon in the sun, but we still managed to make it to the fireworks. We picked this spot down the way from the Stone Arch Bridge. It was nice to walk to the fireworks and to stand while waiting for them. For future reference Sara and Shawn can try these various suggestions for fireworks viewing.
Two (very mediocre) shots.
Happy birthday America.
We returned home to resupply and then headed to the Macalester College campus for a taping of A Prairie Home Companion. It was the 1,433rd show. We arrived just after the gates had opened so we could find a good seat on the lawn.
Good seats obtained, program and ticket were photographed.
Then it was time to eat. We had more than just plates. There were sandwiches and salads and olives. It was a feast.
I spotted this NPR shirt, probably a pledge gift.
In the middle of our feast/waiting, a band of pipers came by. Just you wait, they will return.
Sara and I went to wander/find more beverage (it was very hot in the sun)/perhaps locate bubble tea. We did not find bubble tea, but we did find lemonade.
I took pictures of the lineups for this show.
This smartly dressed ice cream seller was hanging out on the outside of the fence. I liked his style.
And his display board.
Waiting around feet shot. You can see we’ve been eating cherries.
As the show began, we broke out the dessert: angel food cake with strawberries.
Because we were so early, we got to hear Jearlyn and Jevetta Steele rehearse, and see them perform.
Joe Newberry told us a story and sang us some songs.
I really liked this woman’s skirt.
Fred Newman, Tim Russell and Sue Scott perform the Lives of the Cowboys.
JD McPherson was once a middle school art teacher. But he was laid off. So he became a singer songwriter and brought along a band. The saxophone looks like he’s not far out of middle school.
I like to take pictures of the camera guy. And I enjoyed the “On Air” sign.
Mr Keillor reads from his script. I didn’t grab a picture of him telling us about the “Quiet week in Lake Wobegone” but he does that extemporaneously. This picture makes him look like a scary old man, but I like it. He can be quite curmudgeonly.
This guy found a good tree. My hips didn’t like sitting on the ground for so long.
Look who came back! It’s the Macalester College Pipe Band! I didn’t realize that when they were wandering through before it was their rehearsal.
Self-Portraits are everywhere!
Fred Newman is my favorite part of the show.
I was quite happy to (finally) see a live taping, especially since Garrison Keillor’s retirement from PHC is immanent. I figured they taped the show and then cut it down, but our performance came in right at 2 hours, so they must not do as much cutting as I think.
St Paul’s neighborhood of St. Anthony Park has its own parade, which ends at Langford Park. We went to take a look.
Here’s our pre-parade self portrait in which I’m noticing the increasing amount of “salt” in my formally all-peppered hair.
The parade begins with the flag and the Boy Scouts.
Here’s the Pig’s Eye Jass Band, which plays traditional Jazz.
Regimented hula hoopers.
Advertising for the St. Anthony Park Garden Tour.
State Senator. At some point I noticed how all the placards were hand written, which was cool.
Another politician, this time a Representative.
One of the mascots for the Minnesota State Fair. (which I hope to someday attend.) I’m guessing that guy in the background is being above board and not unzipping his pants to expose himself, as he sort of looks like in this picture.
Spirit of the Park! I don’t know what this means, but I very much like the car he is riding in.
Why not have the Board of Education in the parade?
Middle school students.
And their principal.
And why not have the elementary school principal too?
And, of course the high school is in attendance.
And a track star and Como Park’s coaching legend.
This truck of soccer kids was fun. The ones in the truck tossed the soccer ball to the guys on the ground who would head it back to the truck.
This tractor and float advertises a tree farm.
Clown with cannon. We saw him later in the park and the cannon shoots bubbles, which is fun.
Probably my favorite of the walking participants.
And what’s a parade without the Anaphylaxis and Food Allergy Association of Minnesota?
We’ve got a veteran.
Here’s the council.
Encourage a lifestyle with fewer cars. I like their “drop a car” logo.
Here’s the Methodist Church. It’s too late for Vacation Bible School this year, but perhaps you can plan it for next year.
The truck with the parade’s sponsors.
A quartet of pipers.
I’m glad we’ve moved through that period of yellow fire trucks. They never looked quite right.
At the end of the parade are two people with a long jump rope stretched between them. They hold back the bike parade and all the “joiners.” That’s right! At the end of this parade, you the onlooker gets to stand up and walk to the parade’s terminus in Langford Park.
We were looking out for Old Navy flag shirts.
At the park the Saint Anthony Park Community Band was playing.
I noticed the Pig’s Eye Jass Band was hanging about to listen to the Community Band Performance.
Though we did not stay to hear the Patriotic Essay Contest winners, it was still a grand start to our Independence Day.
