This old howler was invited to partake in the Freedom Festival Parade in Cass City, Michigan this weekend. This is the home of astronaut Brewster Shaw. I would be supporting the local Civil Air Patrol squadron. This was this prairie wolf's first public parade for 2013 and we were very much looking forward to it, despite the heat and humidity. The parade would begin at 1030 sharp.

A good cold vest is a must, even in a partial fursuit, but hydration is absolutely essential. We sipped a cold can of store brand lemonade while waiting for the CAP unit to show up. Found a good parking spot and returned to the parade position to suit up. Chippie's grand daughter kept tugging my tail. Fortunately, it's quite sturdy. Once the head and paw gloves went on, the coyote was committed. The Gatorade and a long straw were brought out at once. A third of the quart bottle was taken in . My assigned handler would keep it handy for further consumption along the parade march. We would head North through the business district then toward the park. Probably a mile in total.

I brandished my re-purposed Aerotech IQSY Tomahawk model rocket while trotting along with the cadets. Waving to children along the way and tried to visit with any dogs who brought their masters along. Even got a few of them to "speak". That Gatorade bottle was becoming easier to carry for the handler too. Chippie took some photos, as did one of the cadet's Moms, as we marched by.

It was welcome relief to de-head and un-glove once it was over, but everyone was happy. It's certain that there were few, if any other fursuits in that parade. Chippie's husband drove me back to where I parked. Once the fire trucks moved onto the parade route, the fursuit parts could be removed and set out to dry. About that time my state senator--unbeknownst to me--drove by and complimented my tail (Made by Clockwork Creatures).

The squadron staff invited me to join them for Lunch at a local restaurant. Chippie wanted to discuss the upcoming model rocketry encampment. I ordered the BLT Combo and used the restroom stall to change into civvies. It was a very good lunch and a great day. Upon leaving town, a time/temp display outside a local bank registered a temperature of 91 F!