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Home arrow Voices arrow Blogs arrow Beacon Backroom arrow A Webster Groves 4th: Politics, parades and potluck
A Webster Groves 4th: Politics, parades and potluck Print E-mail
By Jo Mannies, Beacon political reporter   
Posted 12:23 am Sun., 07.04.10

lawnchair550brigadejm710.jpg The Webster Groves July 4 parade -- held this year on the 3rd, because the 4th is a Sunday -- is one of traditions.

Along with the Helfenstein Avenue Lawn Chair Brigade (above), and the Budweiser Clydesdales, the staples include front-lawn picnics all along the parade route -- and tons of politicians, particularly during an election year like this one.

The Webster parade is among a handful around the state that generally are magnets for candidates and their contingents of supporters. Those candidates who can't make it to Webster Groves for its Independence Day revelry (perhaps because they're in a parade elsewhere in the state) often send small armies of volunteers to distribute campaign literature and candy in their place.

martin270edjm710.jpgcarnahan270russjm710.jpg(Left) Republican 3rd District congressional candidate Ed Martin, mingles with parade-watchers. (Right) U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan, D-St. Louis, mingles after the parade with people at one of the picnics held in front yards along the route. The picnic host is an old college roommate.

kirkton270jeanjm710.jpgmagee270richjm710.jpg (Left) State Rep. Jeanne Kirkton, D-Webster Groves, campaigns along the route. (Right) Seeking her  seat is St. Louis County GOP chairman Rich Magee, R-Glendale.

jotte270randyjm710.jpgwilliams270terrijm710.jpg Dr. Randy Jotte (left), a Webster Groves Republican, is running for County Council 5th District. So, too is former Webster Groves Mayor Terri Williams (right), who is on the Democratic ballot.

schmitt270ericjm710.jpgdem270kazoojm710.jpg (Left) State Sen. Eric Schmitt, a Republican, mingles with parade watchers.(Right) Democrats "entertain" with a kazoo band.

wg550frontyardpicnicjm710.jpg

The front-yard feasting begins as soon as the parade passes by.

Photos by Webster Groves resident and Beacon staffer, Jo Mannies.

 

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