Published: July 04, 2008 08:48 pm         

Wet weather didn’t stop Frontier Day Parade

TERRE HAUTE — A slight morning drizzle couldn’t stop a flock of participants from taking part in the 59th Annual Frontier Day Parade on Friday.

However, the rain did delay the parade that started on Fourth Street and Wabash Avenue around 10 a.m., and continued to 13th and Wabash before returning to its starting point.

Terre Haute Police cars led the parade with Joan Finkbiner following on the back of a red Chevy Corvette. Finkbiner was the grand marshall for the Fourth of July parade. Fifty years ago, Finkbiner was prominent in the parade after being awarded with the Wabash Valley Horsemen’s Association’s highest honor of Frontier Gal — an award based on participation in horse activities in the community.

And following the grand marshall were political campaigns and parade participants in costume.

Paul Mason, Democratic candidate for county commissioner District 3, was the only politician to attend the parade. But representatives for presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., Gov. Mitch Daniels and Greg Goode, 8th District Congressional candidate, were also present.

Each political campaign car was laced in signage and played campaign speeches from the respective candidate on the radio.

Participants rode in style, as many straddled horses, mules and donkeys while dressed in Indian and cowboy costumes.

While participants showed up in full force despite the rain, the crowd was another story.

Those who were in attendance kept dry under ponchos and umbrellas while awaiting the parade, though conditions did clear up when the participants arrived.

Clear conditions continued and allowed for a smooth finish to the parade.

DeAntae Prince can be reached at (812)231-4214 or deantae.prince@tribstar.com.