Fifteen minutes of downpour with the occasional grumble of thunder raised doubts about the launch of the Columbia Heights Lions Club Jamboree Parade on the evening of June 23, but organizers made the call to start the parade even as a steady rain lingered. Within a few minutes, though, the rain cleared. The fact that many of the marchers and paradegoers were drenched didn’t seem to affect their enjoyment of the annual event.
The kids played in the downpour, while the adults took shelter under a canopy on Quincy Street. The Minnesota Firefighters Pipes and Drums marched behind the Columbia Heights firefighters. (Photos by Karen Kraco) A Shriner’s horse gets a nice pet from an excited young paradegoer. (Photo by Nik Linde)
Friends and family squeezed together to try and stay dry. 3-year-old Raelyn danced to the music of the Osceola Wis., marching band. Damien Kowal and Lily Riser of Columbia Heights went “no hands” on the Scrambler ride at the Jamboree carnival. Julian Flannigan caught a fish, while a young onlooker tracked his progress. (Photos by Karen Kraco)
A prepared youngster in rocket ship galoshes received beads from an Irish Princess. (Photo by Nik Linde) Mayor Amáda Márquez Simula and husband Frost Simula had the top down to greet paradegoers on the initially rainy parade route. (Photo by Karen Kraco)
