I always love a nice parade, even if I need to drive a bit outside of Siouxland to see one. In early May a Cinco de Mayo parade was held in South Omaha celebrating Mexico’s victory of France in a battle that occurred in the 1860’s. According to a history site the celebration, while a minor kind of celebration in Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of note for Mexican culture and heritage in the United States.
And like most parades these days, this one had its own pace to maintain, and also allow various organizations and parade participants a chance to perform and share their culture with those watching. One interesting side note is that candy and other items that are normally tossed with abandoned and the hopes it falls outside of the parade route at those parades I have attended in the past in Siouxland, was forbidden at this parade. Folk with stuff had to actually walk over to those on the sidewalk and hand the candy or items to the people so there would be no issues with kids running into the streets to retrieve the goods. Of many parades I have attended I have seen a few near misses of tires and small children colliding with no one apparently “minding the store” to ensure safety.
It was a nice way to spend a day and to appreciate another culture and heritage of this melting pot we call the United States.
I live in the Siouxland area that encompasses a wide swatch of land in northwest Iowa, northeastern Nebraska and southeastern South Dakota. The people that inhabit this area are generous folk and your basic honest, Midwestern people you like to have as neighbors. I explore the area and share observations, mostly photographic, sometimes through video, and and short text. All images and video are copyrighted material of the author.
Jerry Mennenga, Sioux City, Iowa
jerrylmennenga@yahoo.com
lostinsiouxland 
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