A Sea of Democrats at the State Fair Parade - This Year!

This was taken at the 2006 Alaska State Fair Parade in Palmer. It has been cropped, so you can't see the leash extending from now-Gov. Palin's hand to around the waist of now-Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell.

Some things have changed since then. Palin is now Governor; Parnell is now Lt. Governor, and he's hoping to take U.S. Rep. Don Young's seat in Congress.

Some things haven't changed. The leash is still there.

Other things have changed too. Here is what the Mat-Su Democrats looked like on February 4th, at our caucuses:
And here's what the Democratic Party caucus goers looked like at Begich Middle School in Anchorage, that same day:

Tomorrow morning, come march with Alaska Democrats at the Alaska State Fair Parade in Palmer! Several candidates are organizing their own contingents, to march together, but you can march anywhere in this large mix, that will mingle, so that we'll see a sea of Democrats!

The parade starts at 11:00 a.m. But you want to get there early. Groups of Democrats will be organizing by 10:30 a.m. in the area between the east side of the old Railroad Depot, and the Palmer Police and State Trooper buildings.

Here's our Mat-Su Democrats' announcement:

When:	Saturday, August 23rd 2008, at 11:00 AM
Where:	Downtown Palmer
Info:	Well it's Alaska State Fair time again. We are looking for participants to march in the Alaska State Fair parade for the Alaska Democratic Party on Saturday, August 23, 2008. The parade beings at 11:00 A.M. in downtown Palmer. We are asking for everyone who wants to march in the parade to meet next to the Railroad Depot in downtown Palmer between 10:00 and 10:30. The theme for the parade is "Bring on the Fun". If you were a volunteer at the State convention, please wear your green convention volunteer t-shirt for the parade. If you have any questions or want more information: call Patty Windel 357-5696 (H) or 232-9436 (C), Kathy Jackman 745-0260 (H) or 355-1892 (c) , Nancy Guiley 376-1160 or 232-9485 (c).

A Special Note: I've been at the Alaska State Fair Parade almost every year for the past 25 years. Here's some advice:

Get there early, and plan to be there a while. Downtown Palmer is a real small town, and the State Fair Parade is great! If you get into the downtown area by 9:30 a.m. you'll beat the crowd. You can park off toward the east end of town (toward the mountains), or a couple blocks west of the parade route (near the Glenn Highway and Fred Meyer).

If you have family that will not be marching with you, an hour before the parade starts, the Mat-Su College Community Band plays Sousa marches, polkas, rhythm-and-blues and patriotic music for an hour in the plaza in front of the old railroad depot. They're good. I know - they were my band from 1995 to 2007.

If you want to be able to exit quickly after the parade, park on the Fred Meyer side of the parade. There are state fair traffic restrictions in the area. But you can drive the Glenn Highway right through from Anchorage to Palmer, and it shouldn't be very busy in mid-morning. Here's a link to State Fair parking information, if you're planning on going to the fair after the parade.

images:
Sean on leash - the governor's office
Wasilla February Caucus - Progressive Alaska
Anchorage February Caucus - What Do I Know?