The Parade That Didn’t Happen
The Fourth of July usually means grilling out, camping, backyard parties and games, and of course the parade. Owatonna does not have a parade on the 4th, and if anyone can tell me why, I would appreciate knowing, just to have that knowledge. Blooming Prairie hosts a parade every 4th of July, which is very well attended, by people from all over the area.
Unfortunately, this year, the parade was not meant to happen. This was a huge bummer for all of us, we were very much looking forward to being a part of the parade. We had boxes of candy ready to throw (gently) to the kiddos and were excited to share in the celebration of our country's Independence Day. Mother Nature was not cooperative at all. The rain started coming down very hard, then the thunder and lightning started up. We were still hopeful that the storm would blow over by 2:30, but, it didn't. Shortly after the parade officials said they were canceling the parade, we got word of Tornado Warnings in Freeborn County. That was a little too close for comfort, and there was a mass exodus from Blooming Prairie. HWY 218 was very busy all the way back to Owatonna.
The fireworks display in Blooming Prairie was also canceled for the 4th, but, they will be shooting them off tonight at dusk. All was not lost, Owatonna still had their fireworks display last night, and we got to listen to the band "Street Talk" perform from right across the street, and they were very good.
We hope you all had a great 4th of July, and here's to keeping our fingers crossed that we can be a part of the Blooming Prairie parade next year.