Happy Birthday Tipton!

This past weekend was the beginning of the Tipton Sesquicentennial Celebration (150 years). You can check out more picture and info at the Tipton Times website. Wyatt and I had a great time, the parade was very good with a lot of community participation. We were glad to see some many old friend who had also came back. (Hi Lawsons!)

Cousins Rylan and Ryker Edwards are ready for candy! Their Mom Krissie is trying not to melt in the heat and I was also attempting this same fruitless feat.
We have always sat in front of my Uncle Archie's store, TV and Stereo World. (l-r) My Mom Jeanne, my Grandpa Gene, Uncle Dan and cousin Jimmy Lachner.
Hey there is Grandpa Tom! He is a member of the American Legion and was riding their float/truck. If this picture had audio you would hear Rylan and Ryker yelling "Uncle Tom, Uncle Tom, Hi Uncle TOM!"
One of Tipton's claim to fame is actor David Koechner. He did an meet and greet on Friday at the bank and my Mom got me a signed picture of him. He said he could do a couple pictures for his old high school guidance counselor!
My old neighbor Harold Wolf driving his Dad's restored John Deere. He is pulling an entry to the outhouse races - four people push it down main street. Unfortunately, it was the only entry! I guess everyone knew is was a superior specimen. It had already been broken in earlier the summer in the Latham festival.
My Aunt Julie (3rd from right with while piping on her shorts) marched with Marilyn's Marchers - a group of girls who took dance and baton lessons back in the 1950-60's. I was impressed at their dance they did on main street - they still had their moves!
The 1958 Royal Court on a replica float of the one they rode on 50 years ago. Gotta love the chicken wire and tissue paper look.
Cecil Koechner always follows the horses and scoops up the poop left behind. And he always does it in a tuxedo. Yes this is David's dad, what a bunch of good-natured people!
My Uncle Archie and I thought this looked a lot like a float in the movie "Animal House". It was actually chicken wire pomping around a golf cart. Good thing most Tipton people have never had to pomp from MU Homecoming. Tissue paper, flour glue, your finger or pencil and hours and hours of bonding time, remember fellow Greek members? You GDI's don't know what you missed out on! *just kidding*
It couldn't end soon enough for Wyatt, who missed his morning nap. We left not long after the parade was over because he was sleeping and I was hot. Good thing too, when I got home it had gotten really dark and cloudy, then the rain came. My Mom and dad called a few minutes later for me to drive back downtown to pick them up. Good thing all the festivities are spread out over this past week. I wish we could have stayed around for them all!