Parade 4 Wheel, originally uploaded by daveham.

Summer has arrived officially in Lexington, Michigan. Friday night, the 4th, started off with the display of fireworks from the harbor on Lake Huron. Saturday, the 5th, was the annual parade. This roving reporter armed with only paper and pencil, (the reader will now have to imagine small town Mayberry) went to investigate the different conveyances to be displayed. As I exited our street, my first glimpse were people dressed in Kilts. They were from Midland and they were with the White Pine Pipes and Drums. Then my interest in trains drew me to two voiture (wheeled vehicle) trains. I was invited to come inside and look around. Spoke to the chief engineer and his 'co-pilot', it takes two pair of eyes to drive this train. After talking with various people who were going to be in the parade, we found a place to stand on main street. There were various organaizations such as The Shriners; Lions Club; Knights of Columbus; American Legions from Marysville and Lexington; The Auxiliary Color Guard; The Cros-Lex Band, the Pioneer. There were many different kinds of fire trucks; Fire & Rescue water pumpers; Boy Scouts, Cub scouts; K9 Unit from Sanilac County. There were five tiny cars manned by men who buzzed the crowd. There were also the usual campaigners. In my estimation, 1200 people were lined two deep for eight blocks. Several churches were represented by Biblical characters along with Buster the Donkey, this donkey tried to get fresh with me earlier ( I know the owner). Ever been kissed by a donkey? As I was standing behind the crowd, a motorcycle parked next to me. I noticed the sticker on his bike which read Powered by Faith. I asked him if he was a Christian, he said "yes", and that's all it took, we were no longer strangers, we talked for a long time sharing our faith. He is with The Knights of St. Michael The Archangel, and has a Catholic motorcycle ministry. There are 12 men from different dioceses throughout Michigan, and they travel spreading the Word of Jesus. Keven gave me his card and brochure with their e-mail address on it and I will write to him if only to say Shalom! So today was good, I got kissed by a donkey, and a hug from a brother in Christ! God is good! The crowds have since dispersed, but our little town will be buzzing with activities until Labor Day.