Kicking Off the 248th Birthday of the U.S.A.-- Part 1: A Parade

SATURDAY, JUNE 29

This morning, I drove over to Fox Lake, Illinois, for their annual 4th of July parade.  As Chevy Chase sang inn the movie "Vacation,'  "I love a parade."  And this one did not disappoint. Two things that I particularly like about the Fox Lake parade is ease of getting to it and park and the fact they have a first-class sound system at the judges table/mc spot.

And, unlike my village of Spring Grove, they don't close down every road within a five mile radius two hours before the parade.  That has kept me from seeing a lot of our parades.

This year's grand marshal is Chris Johnson, chairman and CEO of the Chicagoland Classic Cinema Corporation which has about 17 theatres and over a hundred screens.  They have a nice one in Fox Lake that I go to quite often.  The seats are all recliners and prices are $8 and less in Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Of course, we had the usual politicians out in force with elections coming up.  Plus, lots of local businesses and even the Grant Township High School Marching Band participated as did a lot of their athletes.  By far, my favorite part of any parade is the marching band.

Lots of candy was given out to the tykes of course.

Also, it is easy get to the parade parking and getting out of there.

A Parade.  An Annual Tradition for Me.  --Road4th

Why Go Anywhere Else?-- Part 8: A Movie, Trivia, 2 Concerts, and a Fish Boil

THURSDAY, JUNE 20

First official day of Summer.  Went to the Fox Lake Theatre and saw the movie "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga."  That was one gal you'd best not mess with

Went to Antioch, Illinois, and had dinner at The Lodge and played live trivia.  I was a team by myself and winning until two questions as to the names of Led Zeppelin songs were asked.  I know all their songs, but can only name three.

The It's Thursday concert featured Breakfast Club playing 80s-90s music.  Great show.

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FRIDAY, JUNE 21

We had the annual Spring Grove, Illinois, fish boil at Horse Fair Park.  This is a fundraiser for the Fish Hatchery Park and put on by the famed Fitzgerald's in Genoa City, Wisconsin who specialize in Door County-style fish boils and also have fantastic chicken and ribs with some outstanding bbq sauce.

I then worked at the silent auction booth since I am a member of the Friends of Fish Hatchery.  We had an excellent three-piece group named the Judson Brown Band playing which includes a gal on the violin/fiddle.

Afterwards I went to the Fox Lake American Legion.

Good Times You Know Where.  --RoadFun

Along 66, April 2020: Please Don't Feed the Burros (On the Roadway) and Expensive Popcorn

APRIL 10--  The wonderful lil' town of Oatman, Arizona, home of the insistent burros, has put up signs asking folks to not feed the burros on the Route 66 roadway through town.  Feeding them is a danger to the animals, humans and people in their cars as the burros just don't care where they have to go or what they have to do to get that food (they are particularly fond of carrots)

To say the burros are a big tourist attraction is an understatement.  Today's burros are descendants of the ones used in the local area's gold mines.  And, believe me, they ARE insistent.

APRIL 13--  The Route 66  Movie Theatre in Webb City, Missouri, will be selling concessions during the coronavirus closure.

A large popcorn costs $6.75 and a large drink will set you back $4.58.  (Still kind of expensive if you ask me.)

The theater is located at 24 S. Main Street (Route 66).

Here Burro, Burro.  --RoadDog

News From Along Route 66, March 2017: A "Sirip" Shortage and The Mill

MARCH 12--  Warmer weather decreases sap harvest at Funks Grove Maple Sirip.  Oh NO!!  No Sirup for me!!!  How will I eat my flapjacks?

MARCH 14--  The 66 Drive-In movie theater in Carthage, Missouri, has had a change of owners.  As long as it stays open that's ok with me.

MARCH 15--  New fundraiser launched for The Mill in Lincoln, Illinois.  It is slated to reopen as a museum on April 29.  The new fundraiser is through Crowdrise Funraise.  They hope to get between $3500 and $5,000.

Still Thinking of Going There.  --RoadDog