Seventeenth of May Parade - Ballard, WA, USA - May 17th, 2002

The seventeenth of May is known as "Norwegian Independence Day" in certain parts of the world.  Ballard, once a town of predominantly Scandinavian heritage, has always been a strong fishing and marine seaport center.  Because of this, it has held a parade on May 17th each year.  Even King Olav V of Norway visited this fair neighborhood and dedicated it's small  Bergen Park in 1975 (named after sister city, Bergen, Norway). 

Becoming more politically correct as the culture of this community diversified, this parade is now more commonly known as the "Seventeenth of May" parade.

Occidental Lodge No. 72 sits in the middle of Ballard, and we Masons have always participated heavily in it, along with our other concordant bodies - being joined by Shrine Nile Temple, Scottish Rite, Eastern Star, and the DeMolay and Jobs Daughters youth groups.

For many years, we have been proud to march with a number of floats from the Grand Lodge of Washington - built by it's tremendous Float Committee.  But alas, it must cover the entire state during the year, and in 2002 it was scheduled to participate in a Spokane, Washington parade on this day.

Without any hesitation what-so-ever, Brother Errol Scott of Occidental 72 suggested that we build our own!  He was thus appointed by Worshipful Master Richard Castleberry to the brand new Occidental Float Committee of one (as Chairman).   Brother Errol then began to recruit able-bodied Brothers to help make this come idea come true.  At one point, a scale model of the project was brought to a Stated Communication and then thinks turned serious.  With the aid of a $500 advance from the Lodge, his crew of volunteers and talented craftsmen produced the fine work documented below. 

This float won 1st Place   in the 2002 parade !

The float sports many "action" features that excited the crowd - especially the kids, including: rocking action, flashing lights, dragon head, and a feisty "Norwegian Spitting Fish" which raised it's strangely tropical head, spun around 370^o, and squirted a pretty good stream of water on demand.  This was so much fun, the Lodge is thinking of improving and adding new features next year.

Capt'n George wisely wore appropriate gear and goggles while piloting this temperamental ship, but not on account of the weather.  While it has rained the day before, the day after, and many times within an hour before and after the actual parade, we have been fortunate enough to never be rained out (yet).  Notice the light and shadows in the pictures.

Click the thumbnails below for expanded views.

WB Jerry Ward sands the rough boat	Refined  boat on trailer	Bro. Andy King forms dragon head
WB Jerry and B. Andy inspect progress	looking good	Wow ! Scary
Fish on an electrical car antenna	Fish in a pool	Masonic PR
WB Phil Aamodt says "time for a break"	WB Ron Duck gives final approval before parade	WB Jerry, Ron, & B. Andy assemble the float at the parade site
More assembly while MWB Ken and WB Eldon look on	Gett'n the lawn tractor hooked up	WB Brian helps Capt'n George get settled in
The Deputy gives George some advise	Nearly ready to go !  Signs are out and George is buttoning up	A special prayer for Capt'n George (actually for 1st place) is offered up by the Brethren
Here we go down 24th N.W.	Another angle	WM Castleberry finds a good position directly behind the dangerous part

Last updated on May 27, 2002
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