Saturday was Haymarket Day, here in our little burg. It's a parade down Washington Street, vendors with booths, and a pile of politicos working the crowd. It was a gorgeous day, fair and dry, and we enjoyed it a lot. My daughter marched with her school in the parade, flag-waving and smiling.

The streets were closed long after the parade, so people were able to mill around and enjoy the booths and their neighbors.

Some observations:

• The floats threw lots of candy. We came home with a Halloween-sized load.
• Why does Bob Marshall always ride alone in the parade?
• People, leave your dogs at home, please. They don't enjoy it.
• It was good to see Bruce, as always.
• We're getting an Old Towne Centre. Yes, with the faux Olde Englishe dorkspellinge.
• The Kena Shriners were great, with a band and some wicked little go-karts.
• This seems to be McCain Country, given the stickers, applause, and t-shirts I witnessed.
• The folks from Evergreen had the engines polished and they looked great.
• Cool weather or not, the Mosby Players hoop skirts and wool clothing made me sweat just looking at them.
• ROTC was well-represented, with plenty of young men and women marching.