PARADES

C10 - Missoulian, Monday, November 16, 2009

Every minute. Every day.

missoulian.com TeachersA teachers aid for the World of Wonder page is available at missoula.com/wonder/teachersguide.pdf.

TM

Proud partner in Community Education

Presents

Presents

Proud partner inCommunity Education

LEARN ABOUT CHEMICAL REACTIONS IN THE NEXT INSTALLMENT OF WORLD OF WONDER.For a list of upcoming topics, go to www.unitedfeatures.com/wow.

© 2009 Triefeldt Studios, Inc.Distributed by United Feature Syndicate, Inc.

At a bookstore near you, two full-color World of Wonder compilations: “Plants & Animals” and “People & Places.” For more information, please visit QuillDriverBooks.com or call (800) 605-7176.

Fun for allA parade is a public march or procession celebrating or honoring a special occasion or holiday. Parades often include music, marching bands, dancing and decorated floats. Carriages, fire engines and an assortment of fancy motor vehicles are popular parade attractions. Sometimes, parade participants throw candy and goodies to young audience members.

Historically, many parades have been used as a form of military and/or political propaganda. Military parades typically include bands and troops marching in formation, as well as a show of weapons, equipment and vehicles.

Parades have also been used as a form of public protest, or as a way to bring attention to an issue.

Some air shows could be considered aerial parades in the sky. Boats and ships can also form parades on water.

Early daysParades date back to at least 3000 B.C. Ancient Roman parades were often military in nature, consisting of soldiers marching in triumph. They also had playful processions that announced circuses or shows. The Christian church of the Middle Ages used pageants and parades to honor important feasts and saints’ days.

FloatsFloats began as canal barges decorated and towed by parade participants. Today, most floats are decorated platforms propelled by motor vehicles. Modern floats with elaborate detailing, statues and sound systems can weigh tons.

A small pull wagon is perfect for this project, but if you don’t have one, a cardboard box can be just as much fun to decorate. You will also need tape, balloons and crepe-paper streamers. Ask an adult for any old material or other items that could be used to adorn your float.

SOURCES: World Book Encyclopedia, World Book Inc.; www.history.com

Decorate your own float1. Use crepe paper to make streamers, bows and/or

flowers.

2. Inflate the balloons.

3. Attach balloons and paper decorations to the wagon or box with tape.

4. Make a skirt along the bottom with paper or cloth. Glue sparkles or glitter to the skirt.

When finished, invite some friends and family to join you at a nearby park and walk your own parade route.

The Chinese New Year is often celebrated with parades and dragon dances.

Many parade balloons are filled with helium.

Parade participants are usually volunteers.

Mardi Gras New Orleans began celebrating Mardi Gras with fancy dress balls in the early 1700s. In the 1870s, masked street processions announced Mardi Gras events; these marches evolved into the Mardi Gras parade. The King of Carnival, the Mardi Gras colors (purple, green and gold), the Mardi Gras song and the Mardi Gras flag were adopted in 1872. Three years later, Mardi Gras became a legal holiday in Louisiana.

Mardi Gras, or “Fat Tuesday,” is the last day of feasting before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday.

Thanksgiving Many American cities have parades on Thanksgiving Day. One of the oldest, largest and most famous is the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade in New York City. The tradition began in 1924.

St. Patrick’s Day Cities and towns across North America celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with local parades. The first St. Patrick’s Day parade in America took place in New York City in 1762. Today, the New York parade is the largest St. Patrick’s Day parade, with more than 150,000 participants.

Longest paradeThe longest parade in the world is the Marksmen’s Parade in Hanover, Germany. It takes place during the Schützenfest (an annual celebration of shooting and marksmanship). The parade is 7-1/2 miles long and consists of about 12,000 participants.