Merrie Monarch Parade
Saturday, April 18, 2009 • Downtown Hilo
Warm sunshine filtered through a wisp of high clouds (and vog), illuminating smiles on the faces of spectators of the 46th Annual Merrie Monarch Parade. Hundreds of bystanders flanked the parade route, which ran from Wailoa Art Center road, and transited the Downtown Hilo area and back. Many observatory & 'Imiloa Astronomy Center staff, volunteers from the Visitor Information Station came out to join the Mauna Kea Observatories float for the second year. Many significant others and offspring were put into service, handing out candies to youthful bystanders (like my 8-year old prototype Kaipo in the photo below). The response from the crowd was overwhelmingly positive. Many thanks to Kumiko, Koa, Kimo, Shawn, Callie, and all who organized, prepared the float, and came out to participate in the parade itself. Another great time in a great parade ... with hopefully many more to come in the future.