The Some-teenth Annual Oreana July 4th Parade

looking back on July 4 2022

If you’re one of the lucky few who gets invited to Parade Mistress Linda’s personalized annual 4th of July Parade in Oreana, well, you get to see the best kept secret in Idaho.

Every year is different. Linda makes plans, plans change, sometimes the morning of the parade. Sometimes the parade comes up the road. Sometimes we go down the road to the Parade. 

Participation is optional by the animals, and sometimes they say yes and march out of the driveway, then change their mind halfway into the Parade and turn around and head home on their own. This year Linda held the Parade at her house so all animals could join in the festivities as they felt like it. 

This year Linda was going to ride Hattie the Mule, but Hattie changed her mind the morning of the Parade and, though they’d been practicing, even with the American flag, Linda decided staying on the ground was a much better option. But riding isn’t essential to a 4th of July Parade anyway. Uncle Sam is, and neighbors are. 

Instead of climbing aboard an equine, Linda/Uncle Sam mounted a ton-hay bale and flung candy to the Parade fans. This was not only fun for the humans, but exciting for the painted and patriotic animals, particularly the goats and pigs, who descended upon the candy faster than the humans could gather it up.

The goats and dogs and horse and mule and donkey and mini-mule are old hands at the annual parade, but the Caspian horse and the painted pigs participated for the first time, and proclaimed the Oreana July 4th Parade a big little town success.

 

The Umpteenth Owyhee Fourth of July Parade

July 4 2020

Way up a crick from a tiny little town in Owyhee the best little July 4th parade in America takes place. 

For the umpteenth year, rain or shine (it’s always shine), Parade Mistress Linda and her random Critters put on a homemade parade for a few select guests. 

Each year, you never know quite what the parade will bring (neither does Linda…). Linda may have plans, but her horse, mule, miniature horse, a randy mini-mule (who was gelded shortly after that one year’s parade), donkey, jackass, dogs, etc, get dressed up, but they all have free choice to participate in whatever capacity they choose.

This year Linda, aboard Ted the Wonder Horse, carrying Our Nation’s Flag, ponying Hattie the Spotted Mule, led the procession of assorted dogs, and was joined by our dog Luna and, briefly, my horse Stormy until Hattie the Mule kicked him and he left, no longer interested in parades. Linda’s goats didn’t come all the way up this year, (we missed them!) and the pigs simply refused to leave Linda’s driveway.

But as usual, it was the best parade ever, the best kept secret in Owyhee.

Happy Owyhee Fourth of July!

July 4 2014

Those national Fourth of July parades have nothing on us Up-The-Crick People in Owyhee.

Hoards of crowds gather at the Teeter ranch up the crick, lining the parade route for the show put on by Linda and her menagerie. She's been doing this for years, with a rotating cast of characters.

The dogs and goats, horse and mule and mini-mule are as patriotic as the next American and they look forward to this parade every year (well… except for Edna the donkey who, for whatever donkey reason, did not want to attend).

Enjoy the video!


(or link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFa6bLoWcAw )

The Owyhee Parade: Coming to You

Monday July 4 2011

"People in Owyhee don't go to Parades; here the Parades come to them!" said neighbor Linda, who brought the Owyhee Menagerie Parade to visit the homesteads on the crick for the Fourth of July.


Here comes Goat Dog and Edna!


Holler is all dressed up.


Our horses are not used to Fourth of July Parades!


They are especially not used to a flag waving hairy donkey and her Goat Dog pal!


On to the next house.


Goat Dog and Edna leave the Parade Route.


Everybody loves a Parade, even the animals putting it on!


Off the Owyhee Menagerie Parade goes, to spread Fourth of July spirit at the next house on the crick.