Dale Edwards, Aug. 1, 2011

We had nine Lizzies in the Huntington Beach 4^th of July Parade this year, where the weather was great and the sideline fans were plentiful and patriotic. As usual, we met for breakfast at the Denny’s at Five Points and then off loaded the Lizzies on Clay Street near the end of the parade route. It’s far better to be close to the conveyance vehicles at the end of a parade than have to drive the Lizzies back through the dispersing crowds to the starting point.

We had some difficulties getting from the Lizzie off-load point to the start of the parade due to construction projects that closed some streets, but finally all made it to the formation area. After the usual pre-parade wait, we all started OK. But Mike Frank’s Lizzie soon broke down and Dennis Rootes, driving Larry Collin’s Lizzie, took him under tow until Dennis burned out his drive belt. So Art Paris picked up the tow and Dennis limped along to the end without the extra load.

But the most memorable event in the parade for the Lizziers was the breakdown of a Royal Chariot that got left behind by the other Chariots about ¼ of the way into the parade. This opportunity was not to be passed up by Treasurer John Edgmon who pulled his Lizzie up in front of the disabled Chariot, hooked up a tow strap and shifted his Lizzie transmission into low gear. It was an effort, but not too bad once they got moving. All in all it was highly successful and made a wonderful memory of a Tin Lizzie coming to the aid of a Royal Chariot.

After the parade, we all gathered at John and Judy Edgmon’s home for a good old-fashioned holiday hamburger and hot dog fry. Also attending the party were some guests who are considering future Shrine and Tin Lizzie membership. And if you are not currently a member of an El Bekal Shrine parade unit, you too should consider joining the Lizzies. For more information, come to one of our regular business meetings at the El Bekal Shrine Center on the second Monday of each month. Give a call to our Captain, Larry Griffin, at (714) 273-0220 for specifics. If he is busy recovering from his recent wedding, call our Lieutenant, Bill Walls, at (562) 594-6232.