This Parade Never Stops

It was a clean crisp air that swirled around the truck as we gathered for our first parade in Nashville TN.  To see the potato truck on this special day was even more of a rare occurrence since the majority of the time we don’t make the trek out of Idaho past October.  The many people hustling and bustling around with an extra pep in their step made it feel more like the holidays were upon us.

Parades are always some of my favorite events because it’s hard not to find a smiling face nearby.  The energy level of a parade is very hard to match and people are always excited to see you! It’s the closest feeling I can associate with being extra famous.  Walking near all of the spectacularly decorated floats with Christmas lights, sparkling garland, green luscious pine trees, and costumes galore I still knew our Big Idaho Potato ranks at the top of the floats.

The added wreaths on our hood and all four chains was definitely eye candy for all of the parade onlookers.  Now obviously the Spuds Studs… and Larry had to add to the fun by rocking our red felt Christmas hats and bringing the holiday dance tunes to town!  We even had company to join us along for the ride as Stanley Trout, his wife, and two younger boys were honorary tater team members for the day.

We began to get anxious as the clock chimed 9:00am and we knew that our number would be called soon.  Bands began tuning into their jams and matching their steps as we reared to go.  A few really fun floats began to pass us on the right as it was their turn to go.  I think i even saw Chewbacca and Vader walk by.  If you were quick you may have caught Ellis and I with our jaws dropped as the Titans cheerleaders passed by in their trolley.  Larbear gave the universal two honk warning and we were off. 

We were not only in the presence of Frosty the snowman, Daniel Tiger, and The Tennessee Titans cheerleaders, but Kelly Clarkson, Gavin Degraw, and Jo Dee Messina were also in attendance on this fine Saturday morning.  As we began to roll down the famous broadway street in Nashville it was fun to look down and see the many floats ahead of us in the sea of people especially with a high viewpoint from the truck.  We were like a battleship taking over the high seas as the Spud Studs manned the left panel of the trailer and the Trout family covered our right flank.  Waving at as many onlookers as possible was our mission and seeing how many potato comments we could receive.  Midway through the parade was the television cameras where everyone got their few seconds of fame to show their stuff.  It had rained the evening before which gave our p
otato that extra potatoee (it’s a word,I promise!) look.

My secret of having the most fun in parades is to scan through the crowd and find the extra excited or chipper people and point to get their attention.  You are guaranteed some interaction, fun banter, and long laughter if you take on this strategy.   We rounded the corner at the end of broadway as Ellis hopped off to grab a magnificent shot of the potato with tall classic architecture in the background. 

The people slowly began to fade as we started to get further from the main street.  Soon we came to a halting stop and just as fast as the parade started it was over.  The magic of the truck is that the energy from the parade never dies.  We roll along the streets, highways, and interstates as if we have an unannounced parade ongoing the entire tour!  We call our parade, The Famous Idaho Potato Tour! So next time you see us don’t be afraid to grab our attention, smile, and take a photo!