Are Fourth of July parades really one of the oddest things around?

I sat and watched a parade yesterday, and thought how odd it was to see gay rights folks, followed by people in a pickup singing religious songs, followed by our 73-year-old congressional representative Vern Ehlers (who walked the entire route), followed by garbage trucks, followed by kids on bikes.

It's great that everyone is willing to partake in celebrating this holiday, and do it together, but it seems very odd to me.

I don't think it's anymore odd than a Thanksgiving or Christmas parade.