THE PARADE
Back in the early 50s all of the big fairs & shows were gearing up. The National Dairy Cattle Congress at Waterloo, Iowa was no exception. And of course the local Chamber of Commerce was interested in stirring up all the interest they could among there member and the public in their town. Since Waterloo was the Home Town of John Deere Tractor they were always big supporters of parades.
We got a phone call at the farm. This year they were going to try something different for a COW. Did we have a dairy cow, that was gentle, would lead and could travel to the city. Yes, We have old Becky. Could you have her at the unloading dock at Lincoln Park at 10;30 Thursday. We arrived expecting a lot of John Deere. To our surprise all that was there was two Police squad cars , Two motorcycle patrol cops, a group from the Chamber of Commerce complete equipped with a wheel barrel, shovels and brooms. Becky was adorned with a sign on each side proclaiming the coming event.
Off we go led by the two Patrol Cars with screaming sirens to attract people. Becky was escorted by the Motorcycles followed by the clean up crew. Out on to Fourth Street, through the business district across the Cedar river on the Fourth street Bridge. I found out here that our destination was the Russell Lampson Hotel. The organizer came to me “Will Becky go in the Hotel?” “She will go anyplace I take her”
We arrived at the Hotel, The Motorcycle Patrolmen drove right up on the side walk to stop pedestrian. Held open the doors as Becky and I followed the leader Across the carpeted lobby, into the dining room where the Chamber was meeting, out through the kitchen to the elevator where we were raised up to truck level. We parked the truck in the shade with-with a patrolman guarding it while we went and enjoyed the meal.Graydon
gitrib
This is a actual espeienc of a now old man
Back in the early 50s all of the big fairs & shows were gearing up. The National Dairy Cattle Congress at Waterloo, Iowa was no exception. And of course the local Chamber of Commerce was interested in stirring up all the interest they could among there member and the public in their town. Since Waterloo was the Home Town of John Deere Tractor they were always big supporters of parades.
We got a phone call at the farm. This year they were going to try something different for a COW. Did we have a dairy cow, that was gentle, would lead and could travel to the city. Yes, We have old Becky. Could you have her at the unloading dock at Lincoln Park at 10;30 Thursday. We arrived expecting a lot of John Deere. To our surprise all that was there was two Police squad cars , Two motorcycle patrol cops, a group from the Chamber of Commerce complete equipped with a wheel barrel, shovels and brooms. Becky was adorned with a sign on each side proclaiming the coming event.
Off we go led by the two Patrol Cars with screaming sirens to attract people. Becky was escorted by the Motorcycles followed by the clean up crew. Out on to Fourth Street, through the business district across the Cedar river on the Fourth street Bridge. I found out here that our destination was the Russell Lampson Hotel. The organizer came to me “Will Becky go in the Hotel?” “She will go anyplace I take her”
We arrived at the Hotel, The Motorcycle Patrolmen drove right up on the side walk to stop pedestrian. Held open the doors as Becky and I followed the leader Across the carpeted lobby, into the dining room where the Chamber was meeting, out through the kitchen to the elevator where we were raised up to truck level. We parked the truck in the shade with-with a patrolman guarding it while we went and enjoyed the meal.Graydon
gitrib
This is a actual espeienc of a now old man
