MONROE - The traditional Swiss costumes, a marching band, a few Swiss flags and even a couple of calves made their way around Monroe's downtown Friday as hundreds of kids and adults took part in the Children's Costume Parade.
The parade is always one of the highlights of the opening day of Cheese Days and Cheese Days weekend for both the kids who are in the parade and the crowd that gathers along the route to watch. It was the kids' chance to take part in the festivities of an event they enjoy as much as their parents.
Kids lined up early for their chance to wave to family and friends. They talked and laughed with their friends as they waited for the two Monroe Police Department motorcycles to start the parade.
Katrina Pokorny, 9, Monroe, has walked in the parade since she was, well, able to walk. This was her fourth Cheese Days children's parade. Dressed in a traditional Swiss costume and holding flowers, she lined up with other members of her family near the front.
Her favorite things about Cheese Days is the cheese and the parade, she said shyly.
Bethany Drafall, 6, Monroe, wore a Swiss costume purchased from Switzerland by her grandmother 20 years ago, said Bethany's mother, Brooke Foley.
"Her grandmother bought it for Bethany's aunt to wear at Cheese Days," Foley said.
Bethany was all smiles as she waved to the crowd. She was one of the contenders for Cheese Days princess.
The parade was one of her favorite things about Cheese Days, too, she said. She also looked forward to the carnival rides and the cheese curds.
And there was one other thing she said she likes about Cheese Days.
"The yodeling," she smiled.
Haley Jinkerson, 6, Monroe, was also a Cheese Days princess contender. She was excited to be in the parade, she said.
"I like the parade," she said, with a big smile. "It's fun to be in it."
The parade is always one of the highlights of the opening day of Cheese Days and Cheese Days weekend for both the kids who are in the parade and the crowd that gathers along the route to watch. It was the kids' chance to take part in the festivities of an event they enjoy as much as their parents.
Kids lined up early for their chance to wave to family and friends. They talked and laughed with their friends as they waited for the two Monroe Police Department motorcycles to start the parade.
Katrina Pokorny, 9, Monroe, has walked in the parade since she was, well, able to walk. This was her fourth Cheese Days children's parade. Dressed in a traditional Swiss costume and holding flowers, she lined up with other members of her family near the front.
Her favorite things about Cheese Days is the cheese and the parade, she said shyly.
Bethany Drafall, 6, Monroe, wore a Swiss costume purchased from Switzerland by her grandmother 20 years ago, said Bethany's mother, Brooke Foley.
"Her grandmother bought it for Bethany's aunt to wear at Cheese Days," Foley said.
Bethany was all smiles as she waved to the crowd. She was one of the contenders for Cheese Days princess.
The parade was one of her favorite things about Cheese Days, too, she said. She also looked forward to the carnival rides and the cheese curds.
And there was one other thing she said she likes about Cheese Days.
"The yodeling," she smiled.
Haley Jinkerson, 6, Monroe, was also a Cheese Days princess contender. She was excited to be in the parade, she said.
"I like the parade," she said, with a big smile. "It's fun to be in it."