Published: October 04, 2008 09:05 pm            

Parade kicks off 41st Harvest Homecoming

Cheerleaders. Band marchers. A horse-drawn carriage. And even a few entertaining Hoosier Hillbillies.

That and much more were the order of the day on Saturday, during Harvest Homecoming’s annual parade. And if you didn’t leave the event with a pretty hard-to-shake case of convertible-envy, than you’re likely tougher than most, as the parade took place under an absolutely cloudless slice of blue sky that left spectators soaked in sunshine.

Thousands, both young and old, lined the sidewalks along Vincennes and Spring streets offering waves and cheers to the more than 100 units that came through representing local organizations and businesses.

“I’ve come every year for as long as I could remember,” New Albany resident Terra Carter said as she waited with her two children for the event to start.

“I like it all really,” she said.

The parade served as the kickoff for the 41st annual Harvest Homecoming festival.

Leaning against walls and sitting on stoops were fine for many who came out on Saturday.

But Wilma Stroud got out to Spring Street an hour early and set up a foldable camping chair for a front row seat. She was surprised about the turnout, noting that she felt lucky to snag the spot.

For Stroud, a Kentucky native who married into New Albany, the festival and parade were an annual event.

“It’s just fun,” she said. “I like the booths and the parade is great.”

Fun was surely an agenda topper for most, but others were there to work.

Floyds Knobs resident Carol Tobe walked through the crowd registering people to vote with a clipboard decorated with Barack Obama stickers.

It was her first time working at such an event and she said it was going better than expected.

“People have even stopped me and wanted to register,” she said. “That’s a good sign.”

The parade seemed to go off without a hitch — for most anyway.

Becky Jaenichen, president of New Albany’s Pilot Club, was riding in one of the rarest cars in the parade: a shiny red 1973 MGB Roadster. Then the engine overheated and a group of volunteers had to push the vehicle the rest of the way down the route.

Jaenichen laughed it off, noting that she could hear people in the crowd making jovial remarks about saving gas.

The parade was only the beginning, as Harvest Homecoming events continue all week. The festival’s balloon race is scheduled for today at 5 p.m., launching from Indiana University Southeast. Booths will be set up along Pearl, Market and Bank streets Thursday through Sunday.

        

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