Strawyberry Days 2010

This is not a strawberry from Strawberry Days, but can you see the ladybug embedded in it? Crazy, right...? I almost ate this strawberry.

If you grew up in Pleasant Grove, you know how important Strawberry Days is. I mean really important. As a kid, I got new outfits for special occasions: Easter dress, Christmas dress, Strawberry Days outfit. When I was really little, I think it usually had strawberries on it, but as I got older, it was just important to show my respect for the festivities by wearing something new.
We always went to the carnival... in the daytime when we were kids; eating strawberries and cream, riding the fun merry-go-round, going through the spook house; and then as teenagers hanging out at night with the Lake People. I used this term, "Lake People," around someone who moved to Pleasant Grove as an adult and claimed to really get Strawberry Days. They had never heard it and, honestly, I had to question their devotion.
The children's parade was always a good time. Kids from all the primaries in the stakes dressed up for whatever theme they had that year. I don't specifically remember any of them, but I do remember wearing cowboy boots and a bandana one year and a dance costume with a really big tutu another year. Maybe there wasn't a theme and I was just taking the opportunity to show my originality. Either way, it was always the hottest possible day and we walked around the blocks surrounding the junior high in great anticipation of our reward... A popsicle and a carnival ticket!!! Addison has been in this parade almost every year that he has been old enough for primary (although he has never actually lived in Pleasant Grove), and I don't think he really gets it. Maybe it was cooler back then.
We watched the grand parade until we (Jen and I) were old enough to be in it with our dancing teams. We started out in "Golden Girls," then as we were older and in dance in high school and junior high, we danced with our school in the parade. Those were the days when there were 2 parades: One in the morning and one at night; both headed directly for the sun as it was either rising or setting. Genius on the part of the parade planners. I remember getting our hair perfect for the morning parade after sleeping in braids and curlers, and then trying so hard not to ruin it by the time the evening parade came around. I also remember, incidentally, getting yelled at by Traci Garrick, our high school dance teacher, for Jen's hair not being curly enough, which I hadn't realized up until that point was my responsibility... but that is a story for another time.
We didn't always go to the rodeo, but we could hear the loud speakers from our house.
Later, they started adding more and more to the festivities: The 5k, the concert in the park (with free strawberries and cream!!), craft sales, etc. I think I've only missed a couple of Strawberry Days celebrations. I wasn't there last year, but was glad to be able to go this year. It's a reunion no matter where you go during Strawberry Days. People travel to be there, hold family reunions around that time so that their posterity can participate. I saw so many people from high school now there with their own kids, showing them the ropes of the celebrations, keeping the tradition alive.

Addison and Eric in the Children's Parade. The theme (there was one this year) had something to do with what they wanted to be when they grew up. We had short notice on whether or not Addison was going to be there, but luckily he had enough with him to dress up like a basketball player, which is "sometimes what I want to be when I grow up" (says Addison).

Brayden was going to dress as Batman, but decided to just be himself... which I think is a perfect thing to be when you grow up.

The race!! Addison and Eric ran the kids 1 mile race. First they had to hug it out.

Addison and Eric (and Dean is in there I think) running down Main Street.

Addison crossing the finish line.

I have to admit, I didn't love the new name of the 5k race. Put on by the fire and police departments, it is now called the "Guns and Hoses 5k." Yikes.

Cute cheerleaders.

Not PGHS, but it isn't a parade without the bands.

These guys are Hot Shots now, but when I was 4, it was the Golden Girls!!

Payson bagpipe band... my favorite! Seriously. If you go to high school in Payson and you want to be in the band, you play the bagpipes. Isn't that cool???
Cosmo!
Friends in the parade. My mom wasn't there this year, but she can really yell loud, especially when she sees someone she knows in a parade.