Kriste's Adventures: The Sunflower Parade...A Celebration of 150 Years of Statehood for Kansas

When planning my itinerary months earlier, I had planned on staying in Wichita for a day or two, arriving on October 8th. Coincidentally, my cousin Paul (whom I was going to visit in a few days) was in Wichita for a conference. So, his wife Michelle and daughter Katie decided to meet me in Wichita to start our visit off early! And Michelle had exciting news! The following morning there would be a parade in town to commemorate 150 years of statehood for Kansas. This was a HUGE deal. And as luck would have it....I was in the right spot at the right time! The highlight of the parade was to be a herd of 30Longhorn Cattle driven by the Kansas Livestock Association! Now this may not sound exciting, but the week prior Michelle had just gone on a photo shoot in Eastern Kansas somewhere to capture these steers being driven (no not by motor transport) across the state. It sounded pretty cool, so I had to check them out!

We arrived a little after 10 to ensure a great view. I eventually found the perfect spot near the beginning. A dumpster was in the street directly behind me and there were a few barricades in front of it held down with sandbags. I really wanted a picture of the cattle coming toward me, not of their sides. So...I positioned myself IN the street about 7 feet from the curb, smartly using the barricades for cover. I mean, these are WILD cattle, I don't think they'd stampede and trample me, but.....we know how my luck sometimes runs! These two officers surveyed my situation and strongly advised me to get on the curb. I assured them that I was well prepared and would take appropriate action should the need arise but I REALLY wanted to stay and I promised I wouldn't make any movement as the cattle approached. I guess they figured it was a lost cause and walked away most likely thinking I might be more bull-headed than the approaching steers.

As traditional with all parades, it started off with the flag bearers, I thought it was rather interesting and appropriate that the Native Americans were represented as well.

Following the honor guard, was Kansas Governor, Sam Brownback. a personal friend of my cousin Michelle. They had a quick hello while trotting by!

And then the moment I had waited (not very long) for.....the 30 head of Longhorn Cattle!

I was VERY careful not to make a peep, not move any part of my body except for my hands. Now this may appear as if I am using my zoom, but....I'm not. I was that close! I suddenly felt VERY vulnerable behind that little dinky barricade and I'm not even sure I was breathing!

I was kneeling on the sandbags looking up at them. EEK! Please do not trample me!!!

WHEW! Danger had passed and not one steer had made a motion of moving off course. I stood up and returned to the curb.

Recently I found a YouTube video taken by the Kansas Livestock Association of this section of the parade. I have added their link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aW0iYQB98D0

The Sunflower Parade was at least 100 other entries. Supposedly each town was encouraged to join the parade in whatever they felt represented their section of Kansas. There were quite a few that had the Wild West theme, one float had a group of folks square dancing, one had a bunch of folks in bathtubs (I'm really not sure what that was supposed to represent). My cousin had been approached the day before to join in as a Lutheran Circuit Rider, however, he had to fulfill his obligation to attend the conference and did not a familiar horse to ride. That would have been awesome!

And as in any parade, there were bands. At least a dozen, I think probably more. They all did a fine job!

And cousin Michelle, knew oodles and oodles of people from ALL over! She would get excited and run out into the parade to say hello! She has always been a social butterfly who has a knack for remembering names and faces! And always stops to say hello and chat, if only for a minute or two!