Reading Jeanne Sager’s column (see below) she couldn’t have said it any better—seeing the joy on kid’s faces during the Saint Patrick’s Day parade is a feeling we forget about as adults. It’s “pure, unfiltered, uncontaminated joy.”

At the Yulan Saint Patrick’s Day parade (see story on page 1B) one little boy was dressed in a firefighter costume: pants, jacket and hat. He watched with delight as the local fire department’s trucks drove by in the parade lineup.

And one could see the joy on the firefighter’s faces as they threw candy and rang their sirens, knowing that what they are doing is something that these kids will appreciate.

Parades are held to, of course, celebrate holidays and mark the occasion. But beyond the floats and candy and decorations it’s something more than that. It’s about community coming together.

How often do we hear: there’s nothing to do around here? But when these parades come around they always draw a crowd, and we can see that people are happy to get out of their houses, meet their friends and not just have something to do but something that brings, as we said, joy.

And to those who joined the parade lineup, thanks for being there. You probably have other things to do on a holiday, but you’re there ready to wave and smile to the onlookers and make the kids happy.

And to the organizers, than you for all  your hard work, planning and dedicated service to your community in pulling off another very success parade.

It’s a small thing, but it makes an impact.