I am totally star struck that our parade made the news. Your float was super awesome. I also liked the one that had a tennis court with girls playing tennis and Ricky Martin's, Living La Vida Loco playing in the background.

The only downside was there could have been more free candy.

I predict within 3 years there will be a Sparkman Gay Pride float.

Nice shots. Congratulations on the win, I thought you guys would win when you did the 20ft Space Shuttle Tribute, or the "Pimp my Float" double size Pink 65 Valiant. Congratulations to Jack Bubel, The "Master Float Builder" The winning floats name came from his Mom and Neighbor Mary Bubel. She has seen the neighborhood go from corn fields to Mini McMansions. hence her dubbing the float," From Maize to Amazing". Nice Shirts too.

Was anyone else severally disappointed by the fireworks at fair park? For all the hoopla surrounding the fireworks by "Grucci" I was expecting something spectacular, it really wasn't any better than any of the other shows in the metroplex and in my opinion surpassed by many.

Next year I really hope they spend more money on things that go boom and less money on a company name.

We appreciate the kind words. We're new Sparkman residents, but we feel like we grew up here. Friendly, helpful, and respectful are the neighbors and the parade represtents the character within them. Can't wait till next year!

Great coverage of a fun event, but to be honest, I was a little disappointed that Uncle Sam was not featured more prominently (or, at all) in your coverage. Perhaps you are not as much of a "Patriot" as I thought, Mr. Wilonsky!

JV is still hot!! I'll never forget you in those red "slacks"...
Such a fun day yesterday. Thanks for the story.

It's not too late to try out for Varsity, Robert - you still got it!!

July 4th was The Bomb. Headed south on 75, pulled over onto the service lane and caught the Fair Park show (eh, OK I guess), then headed west on 30, jumped off on Industrial and grabbed a couple of tacos at Fuel City.

Headed south on Industrial, parked in a liquor store parking lot right by the Jail, right underneath the Trinity River show. That was The Spot - shit was so loud I almost went deaf. You could feel every blast in your chest. Hundreds of tailgaters everywhere. It was beautiful.

From there, I headed a mile or so south on Caesar Chavez to Denny Doran's loft space, where we sat on the roof, grilled hamburgers and watched the public blow shit up on the levees for three hours straight. Right around midnight the DPD ghetto bird scrambled overhead, threw down a beam and then dodged hundreds of bottle rockets and roman candles.

Total cost: less than five bucks.

thanks for the Sparkman story. Truly the best "hood" in town. Go Gators!

Robert

I didn't realize that you were dressed as Uncle Sam. I thought that was your normal
Friday afternoon cocktail attire. I should have realized that something was up because of the tight grip you have on your balls.

Jack, that wasn't me -- see "John C." above, who has every right to be proud of the look he threw down. Because, right, freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose. Speaking of, I put the over/under for your float at 2 years, and I expected to be allowed on in my cheerleading unis.