The 132nd Veiled Prophet Parade 2009 in downtown St. Louis St. Louis News Community Info St. Louis Job News St. Louis CitySide Business News St. Charles News Southwest, IL News Art Gallery News Hotel News Restaurant News Entertainment News Style St. Louis Not Just For Kids   Downtown Map America's Center Busch Stadium Gateway Arch Laclede's Landing Old Courthouse Scottrade Center Union Station Washington Avenue   Metropolitan Map Casinos Central West End Clayton, MO Grand Center Grant's Farm Forest Park Kimmswick, MO MO Botanical Garden Soulard St. Charles, MO University City West Port Plaza Transportation Lambert Airport How To Reach Us: St. Louis Front Page P.O. Box 1354 St. Louis, MO 63188 Voice: 314-771-0200 Fax: 314-771-0300 To submit news, contact: editor@slfp.com To advertise, contact: advertising@slfp.com

American tourists Lou and Louise waved to the crowds from The Veiled Prophet Parade float, with a theme of "Everybody Needs a Vacation". Rain Delays 'Everybody Needs a Vacation' VP Parade But Not the Family Fun by Bob Moore, SLFP.com ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com), July 4, 2009 - Organizers of the 132nd Veiled Prophet Parade had spent countless hours preparing for the July 4th family tradition in downtown St. Louis. With the theme 'Everybody Needs a Vacation' and Fredbird, the beloved mascot of the St. Louis Cardinals, as the honorary grand marshall, the event was billed as the nation's most spectacular Independence Day parade. Volunteers had spent long months building elaborate, colorful floats. High school bands from around the country practiced long hours in anticipation of the oppportunity to compete for $10,000. Sponsors eagerly stepped up to put giant helium balloons in front of parade-goers. When heavy rains drenched the St. Louis area with over an inch of rain Saturday morning, parade officials decided to delay the parade for an hour. Braving a light mist, families began lining up along the parade route on Market Street and waited patiently for the horns announcing the beginning of the parade. They were not disappointed. With flags waving and drums beating loudly, the boisterous parade stepped off at 4th and Washington Streets and began moving past the cheering crowds, bringing smiles to everyone. Giant helium balloons, Michael the Eagle, Liberty Bell, Patriotic Hats and Louie the Lightning Bug created a colorful spectacle in the downtown streets of St. Louis. More than 100 units stretched over five miles in length, including 16 bands with more than 1,500 members. Fredbird's antics delighted the kids as he danced, waved and jumped in the red truck. Children waved back as parents reached for their cameras to capture the moment. "This is the summer of baseball in St. Louis," said Nelson H. Howe II, grand marshal of the Veiled Prophet Parade. "Fredbird just celebrated his 30th birthday last month, and Major League Baseball's 80th All-Star Game will be played at Busch Stadium on July 14," he said. "There could be no better choice than Fredbird to serve as honorary grand marshal to continue our 132-year tradition of magnificent family entertainment," Howe said. In keeping with the VP Parade's mission of community service, a special tribute was planned for 1LT Roslyn Littmann Schulte, the first female U.S. Air Force Academy graduate to be killed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, and a VP Maid of Honor in 2003. However, weather canceled a ceremonial flyover by the T-28 "Trojan" (military trainer), which was to be flown by former fighter pilot Rudy Haug of the Missouri Air National Guard, 110th Squadron. The national anthem was performed by St. Louisan Charles Glenn. Lt. Schulte's parents - Robert Schulte and Susie Littmann Schulte - joined Glenn along with representatives of the Veiled Prophet Organization. A commemorative plaque and bouquet of flowers - from the Gift of Gardens Float - was presented to the Schultes. Fredbird, who serve as honorary grand marshal, danced, waved and jumped in the red truck as children waved back and parents reached for their cameras to capture the moment. Bob Schenk, chairman, VP Parade Public Relations Committee, presented Robert Schulte and Susie Littmann Schulte with a commemorative plaque and bouquet of flowers from the Gift of Gardens Float, which honored their daughter 1LT Roslyn Littmann Schulte. Still wet from the morning rain, a colorful float, "A Lunar Gateway" featured a fan watching the All-Star Game on a lunar space station, and another appearance by American tourists Lou and Louise. A new float, "Gift of Garden", highlighted the VP Parade's Community Service Iniative (CSI) and was dedicated to 1LT Roslyn Littmann Schulte. The Litchfield High School, from Litchfield, Minnesota, was among some of the best high school marching bands from throughout the Midwest, competing for prizes totaling $10,000. Along the parade route, clowns handed candy to young children who were thrilled with the treats. Caroline (2 yrs old), daughter of Karen and Rodney Bryan of Frontenac, wore special rain boots for the parade. The 932nd Airlift Wing, U.S. Air Force Reserve, proudly marched along Market Street in the VP Parade, followed by employees from Maritz holding tight to several Patriotic Hats helium balloons and employees from Edward Jones guiding Michael the Eagle balloon. The St. Louis Front Page and Southwest Illinois News are owned and maintained by the Moore Design Group for the sole purpose of disseminating news and information about the Metropolitan St. Louis area. Text or graphics may not be copied, rewritten or distributed in any manner whatsoever without written permission. For more information, contact editor@slfp.com All rights reserved world wide © 1996 - 2009 Moore Design Group.

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