Learning the Neighborhood Traditions

The Kirkwood Greentree parade featured a mix of firetrucks, school groups and marching bands

Thanks to neighbors, coworkers, and school, we're beginning to learn the traditions of our town. Today Emily was on a float in the Kirkwood Greentree parade, with Adam and Dad marching behind. This year's theme was "A Celebration of Heroes", so the North Glendale Superstars fit right in with their capes and STARbursts (a few of which never made it to the kids on the curb because Adam ate them).

If you look closely, you'll see Emily on the float

The face of the super hero is Mr. Benben, North Glendale's principal

Emily and her friend Allison (who unfortunately is moving to Colorado next month)

The North Glendale group stretched half a block

Some background on the event - the Greentree Festival started in 1961 when Kirkwood was recovering from a long period of drought, and Dutch Elm blight had taken a toll on the city's trees. The Festival was created as a way to replace the stricken trees. In the weeks leading up to the first Festival, as well as during the event, the City of Kirkwood offered Pin Oaks, Sweet Gum, Thornless Locust, White Birch, and Tulip trees for sale for just $1 each. Thousands of these trees were purchased and planted and to this day, many still flourish, lining a number of Kirkwood streets.