American Royal

It's all about watching horses.

And mini mules. . .

And Mizzou's signature regular mules, Terry and Tim. . .

. . . followed by a usurping by the Shriners, who comprised about half of the latter part of the parade (and are demonstrating what my next car will be: who can say no to a metallic dune buggy that's just like the carnival ride cars - with one instead of six steering wheels - remembered from school picnics 20 years ago and still being carted around the country and taking kids for a ride?) Yes, I want a dune buggy!

They kept coming.

But, it's all about watching horses (watching me).

The John Deere antique tractor club is great, too, for its noise and diesel smoke contribution.

The Harrah's Casino float, with its line-dancing half-dressed girls - including one on a wagon behind who was astride and feigning enjoyment of a mechanical bull - was blaring a recorded song I've fortunately erased from my head to the detriment of my parade enjoyment and of some horses' comfort. Decidedly not family friendly!

The spacing of competitors was not done well. Loud radio "floats" should not precede marching bands or be staged so close to delicate equines. Shriners should not wait so long that there is block between each set of classic or funny cars when everyone is wondering if the parade is ending. And the kids in the bands and dance troupes need to smile more.