Parade

celebrates region’s agricultural roots

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

Community queens and kings and other parade participants returned to their roots during the “Blossomtime Salutes Our Agricultural Roots”-themed Blossomtime Grand Floral Parade in St. Joseph and Benton Harbor Saturday, May 13.

The 117th annual parade featured over 100 units, including bands, floats, clowns, costumed characters, antique cars and tractors, unicycle teams, equestrian units, bands and color guards from area schools, and the famed Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Motorcycle Drill Team (which opened the parade, as was tradition).

Special guests included Grand Marshal Sam Monte, City of Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Muhammad, City of St. Joseph Mayor Laura Goos and state representatives and senators.

This year, the New Buffalo Royal Court garnered the Board of Directors award for their “Honey Bee-” themed float. A Community of New Buffalo event will take place from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 10, at Converge Community Church in New Buffalo, during which members of the community can hop aboard the awardwinning float, dance to music with DJ Jason “Law Dawg” Long, interact with the 5535 Bionic Bison’s 2023 competition robot and enjoy a meal of grilled chicken or seasoned beef tacos with rice and beans and cupcakes and drinks for a suggested $10 donation .

The 2.5-mile parade begins at Pearl and Main streets in St. Joseph and runs along Main Street to Ship Street before continuing over the Bicentennial Bridge into Benton Harbor, where it heads down Main Street and ends at 5th Street.