Having fun, getting out the message on Independence Day EPFW got a rousing response from viewers along the parade route at the annual Independence Day parade in Arnold July 6th.

People waved, clapped, shouted encouragement, and gave "thumbs up" to the more than 70 marchers who accompanied our float. The marchers ranged from tiny Sawyer Alford, carried on his dad's back to Ann Horvath, well into her eighties.

Tami Rakstad kept the bubble machine going on the float, which was decorated with flags, bubbles, plants, and trees, celebrating the forest's main values: clean water, wood, wild life, jobs, and recreation among them. EPFW President Bunny Firebaugh and others passed out candy and tiny bottles of bubble soap labeled "Ebbetts Pass Forest Watch."

Marchers carried signs with messages such as "Your Drinking Water Starts in a Forest," "Clean Water, Healthy Forests," "Logging O.K., Clearcuts No Way," "Nature is not Political," "Healthy Forests = Heal Thy Forests," and "Forests: Once They're Gone, They're Gone."

The team in charge of building the float had such a good time that they decided to rebuild it for the Murphys Homecoming parade later in July. "It was wonderful to march with so many like-minded people and dedicate ourselves to the cause while having fun doing it," said Arlene Mueller, who organized the float building.