Crashing the 4th of July Parade

Today, at the age of 34, I walked in my first parade.

Specifically, the Makawao Paniolo Parade in Makawao, Maui, a 4th of July event that’s popular enough to shut down traffic flow around Makawao and bring in both kama’ainas and visitors; keikis, aunties and titas; and of course animals and motorized vehicles of all varieties. About 50 floats, bands and other groups follow a 1/2 mile route from Veteran’s Cemetery up Baldwin Avenue, right on Makawao Avenue and ending at Eddie Tam Center. It’s all part of the 3-day Makawao Rodeo, a staple event in upcountry Maui.

How did I get in to such a presitigious parade? Easy, I crashed it with my dogs.