This past weekend was Wayzata's annual James J. Hill Days. Many people from Plymouth take part, so I decided it would be a great place to create some campaign visibility and have a float in the parade.
I worked to gather friends, family and supporters to take part and be on the float, while my brother used his crafty ingenuity to build a unique spinning sign to help us stand out. We all had a great time and saw lots of friends and neighbors in the crowds lining the parade route on Lake street.
I was reflecting on the experience as we were driving home and thinking about how this parade was a prime example of what's great about our community. Especially on the anniversary of 9/11.
One challenge we had was making sure we had a good size group of friends and supporters on the float. And we got there, but it was a challenge because I had many supporters in different parts of the parade! The Scout float, the League of Women Voters (LWV) float, the sailing club float, the marching band, the dance team, other campaign floats! I saw it as a great example of all the good that people are doing in the community. It made me happy to see so many people in the parade and so many people out to watch the parade.
(I had an idea that the LWV should lead a "campaign section" of the parade, because even as there are candidates from different parties, and different sides of the debate, it is an amazing example of how many people care about our community, and care about the issues and challenges we face, at every level of government.)
Later last night, we sat down with our kids and talked to them about 9/11. About what happened that day. About why we were attacked. About how we came together in community and as a nation to support one another in the following days. About how we love our country. And how we can each serve our community, to make it a better place. I shared that's one reason I am running for city council: because I love our community and want to help it be the best it can be.
And the exciting thing is, we get to do it all again in just a few days. Plymouth on Parade is Saturday September 17! (Join our float!) I'm looking forward to seeing and meeting even more of the people of Plymouth in our own city parade, and to the many groups that make our community great unite for fun, for service and for community.
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