I got there early so I could photograph the parade. It's a big deal in Abilene. I was an hour early and the streets were already lined with the empty lawn chairs from people who were saving their spots for the parade. The parade had the usual "parade" stuff, big guys on tiny motorcycles, a few classic cars, horses, marching bands, some tractors, and lots of candy throwing. I've been to my share of parades, but there's one thing I won't soon forget from this parade. I was in the street, photographing with my long telephoto lens, focused on a group of kids who were scrambling around to pick up the candy that had just been thrown from a passing float. I was focused on the crowd along the street and not paying attention to what was coming towards me in the parade. As I watched through the lens of my camera, I suddenly noticed that every single person, old and young, like a wave, was standing up and clapping. It wasn't until I took my eyes away from my camera that I saw a large military vehicle with several service men walking beside it and then understood what was going on. It was a really touching thing to see and I was lucky to get a few shots of it.(See photos below)
The rodeo at this fair was the biggest rodeo I have been to. Loads of bronco bustin' and bull ridin'/ropin' good times. It's really something to be up close when they let a bucking bronco out of the chute. Dirt and cowboys go flying!
Like usual, I stayed at this fair until there was no more light in the sky. I packed my gear and prepared to head back to Lawrence, but decided to stay a little longer to enjoy a homemade milkshake at the carnival. I sat with my shake, watching the kids on the rides and listening to all of the sounds of the carnival.
