4th of July in Ester, Alaska

Here come the bagpipes...
Ester is a very, very (did I say very?) politic little community. "Bad White Dog" must be some kind of reference to something political...or maybe it is just some movie I haven't seen. Anyhow, I didn't get it. Call me stupid, but I just don't get the reference. Maybe someone can clue me in?

Calypso Farms is a local, non-profit farm. They work with the schools teaching and building gardens. Before the goats was a sign that read "Eat Local".

I have no idea who this is, but he is in the parade every year. I can't understand most of what he is saying...I'm wondering if he spends a little time in the Golden Eagle (a bar in Ester...Ester can't have more than a few hundred people, a post office, a bar, a seasonal tourist restaurant, some arts shops....) before the parade. He's a hoot!

This pig is in the parade every year making some kind of politic statement. Note the dollar sign painted on her side. I think there was a sign calling her the "VECO Piggy Bank" which refers to some corrupt oil politics (which I stay out of...ya, I mentioned that already).

Gotta love the Ester Volunteer Fire Department and their shiny truck keeping my home safe! Thanks!

No parade is complete without Smoky the Bear.

A friend of ours leading four more old sidecars.

There were about a dozen cars in the parade...I chose to show this one as Olivia exclaimed, "Look Mom. It's Lizzy". (We've watched the movie Cars several hundred times too many!).

The Fire Department roasts a beautiful hog each year.

I'm into taking weird photos lately. Trying to be more creative. Here comes Olivia (blue skirt) and Lukie is just under her hand in the back. Oh, and that is Cody's shoe. There was so much going on in the park that day.

The judges set up a table at the beginning of the parade. Part of the deal is to bribe the judges. I forget what she was saying about this one, but note the recycled cellphone on top. All trophies are homemade and quite creative.

This was for a Fishy Float...meaning the guy bribed the judges with smoked Salmon. There were bribes of Bloody Mary's complete with olives and celery. It is all in fun.

See that look...that wrinkled nose? He always looks like that. I'm not sure if it is intense concentration or he needs some shades, but all my photos look like this one!

Elijah (in black with the hat) and his buddy had quite a laugh over this race.

Dad and I (in the blue skirt and white tank top) did the three-legged race. We didn't win, but we weren't last and we didn't fall down. I laughed pretty hard the whole way!

Tug-O-War...Cody in blue in the back and Nick in blue in the front. I swear, they dress themselves, they are step-brothers, Cody is nine days older and more than once this year they have worn the same shirt, unintentionally. And they have a lot of clothes. Kind of funny.

Dad (in black) and my dear friend, Dave (in red) win the Tug-O-War.

No, I did not encourage my two-year old to shove a pretzel up his nose (and then eat it), but I sure wasn't going to miss photographing it!

Happy Belated 4th of July!! :)