The Carnival & Parade

Every year the city of Winona puts on a summer celebration (Steamboat days). Originally Winona used to be a home to a large steamboat that burned down. To help commemorate the old steamboat Winona built a replica of that steamboat on land. So they basically they built a boat that didn't float. However a few years ago that boat had to be torn down as the cost to fix it outweighed the cost of keeping it part of Winona's history. Today, Steamboat days is still steamboat days without a boat.

We are lucky enough to be in walking distance from carnival and rides and just half a block of the parade route.

You be the judge is Harrison liked the carousel ride...

 Blowing kisses at his audience...

 One of my favorites.

This was the poof he loved this ride! He actually cried after it stopped for the first time and continuously signed "more" to go again. To his relief, he went again (and we have enough tickets for him to go three more times before the carnival ends on Monday evening).

Harrison was a little sad he wasn't big enough to go on any other rides at the carnival. Unlike Mall of America...Harrison must be 36" tall to ride, whether he is with an adult or not. He did enjoy some time in the Mickey Mouse Bounce house and he enjoyed a mirror maze with daddy.

Next it was on to carnival games. This was Harrison's favorite game.

 He was allowed to pick 3 ducks for a prize.

 Look at this pure enjoyment!

 EWWWW! What gave him the idea to lick the duck?

Mommy had a turn at a game too. I won Harrison a cute little turtle, which he in return gave to Whitney Dog. I guess he felt bad she didn't get to come along.

 REAL PONIES!

With the rides and games, how could we forget about food? Not going to happen with our hungry little monster. We enjoyed cheeseburgers and cheese curds. YUM. We are going back for cookies tonight. (Sounds like we have had a whole weekend of healthy eating).

On Saturday, which happened to be our 6th wedding anniversary, we headed down to the  car show right on 3rd street. It was hot and sunny, so Harrison didn't want to stay long to daddy's dismay, but it was a perfect day to head to the Aquatic Center which was what we did. I snapped a few pictures from that afternoon which I will share soon.

Harrison was a moving and a grooving as the floats went by during this afternoon's parade. The whether couldn't have been more perfect. The skies were overcast, which made the temperatures comfortable and rain held off.

And to top this all off? Harrison made it through over 2 hours of the parade. AMAZING is the only word I have for that.

Grandma & Harrison

 This is how he wore his beads, putting them on himself.

Remember this guy from last year?

It seems our chunky monkey thinned out a bit...but darn those rolls were cute!

 Harrison made friends with this little boy. He seemed to take to Harrison as Harrison picked up candy and dropped it in the little boy's bag. What's not to like?

 Whitney even had a front row seat (and it looks like she is pretty comfy with Mom).