Celebration of a Small Town Fourth

One of the best things about the celebration of the Fourth of July in the small town of Willits where I reside is the parade. As part of the week long Frontier Days celebration our little town holds a parade down main street which in our case is US Highway 101. The parade includes floats,politicians,cars, tractors, small bands and as would be expected in ranching country a lot of horses. It's fun to see many of your friends an neighbors on parade. I had a wonderful time chatting with old friends and photographing the parade. The day culminated in a soft and delightful sunset over the foggy pacific Ocean. I hope all my U.S. followers had a happy Fourth of July. God bless, chris All images created with a Canon 7D and a Canon 28-105 lens in AV mode.

Carnival Time

Frontier days is the premier event that rolls around once a year "Fourth of July" week in the small town of Willts, California where I live. It is the biggest fundraiser benefit for charities and other groups. Planning for the events surrounding it go on all year as it includes dances,rodeos,a parade,a carnival and other events. Last night Lenore and I went down to the carnival. She wanted to ride the ferris wheel and I wanted to photograph the colorful rides and carnival atmosphere. We both walked away happy. Today is the parade BBQ and the rodeo.It's going to be a full day. Blessings and happy Fourth of July to all, chris PS: Part two of the round up is still on its way. Camera Equipment Used- Canon 7D, Canon 10-22 lens. Manfrotto 055XPROB Tripod with a 3055 Ballhead. Camera Settings Used- Manual mode,ISO 100, Shutter speeds and F stops varied.

Lights , Action, Carnival!

Every year during the end of June through July Fourth Willits, Ca throws a big celebration with the "Willits Frontier Days" as a major fundraiser for community organizations. It's a very big deal for a small town. It includes gymkhanas, rodeos,singing contests, dances and a big parade down Main Street on the Fourth of July with a big BBQ. Like many small town celebrations it includes a carnival with rides and a midway. Last night I went to the carnival to photograph the rides. I came prepared with a wide angle lens and some extra batteries for my camera. Mid way through the evening my batteries died. I immediately popped in a new set only to find them dead as well. So much for my preparedness! I headed home only to find that my cable release had fallen off of my camera.I texted my son Jay about it and to my amazement he found it trampled into the dirt at the last place I had been photographing. Thank you Jay! It was a fun evening and I got to talk to a number of friends and acquaintances through out the evening. God's light and love to all, chris

Typical Hometown 4th of July Parade

Yesterday we celebrated the 4th of July in the small town of Willits where I live in Northern California.We celebrate in a pretty big way for such a small town. We commemorate the holiday with "Frontier Days" starting in late June going through until the 4th of July. Then much to the dismay of travelers we close U.S. Highway 101 for part of the day for a mile long race and then a parade. After the parade there is a huge BBQ and then a rodeo.




Frontier Days had its beginnings back in 1926. Then many of the prominent citizens and the American Legion hatched the idea of a rodeo as a fund raiser for building a new hospital. Later in 1927 Frank Howards (the owner of the race horse Sea Biscuit) son was killed in tragic accident on the Ridgewood Ranch south of Willits. Dr. Babcock, who ministered to the boy, approached Howard about erecting a hospital in Willits in memory of his son. Howard built the Frank R. Howard Memorial Hospital shortly thereafter. The American Legion decided to keep the fundraiser for continued funding of the hospital.



There is your short history lesson for the day.There will be a test! Here are the images from the parade.There were musicians,rodeo sweethearts,old cars and trucks etc.
I had a great time there watching it and photographing it with my family. God bless,

chris