I used to garden all of the time, had some really nice one's to. I got out of it, not really by too much of a choice (alcoholic ex wife, divorce, moving several times, etc...). I am hoping so much in my heart that my life has now finally settled down, I am re-married to a wonderful, beautiful, Christian woman and we just bought a home together. There, is where I hope, to once again get back into gardening. I also found that it was soothing to the soul, peaceful, good hard work, but yet fun and rewarding. And if you do things right and the Lord bless your hard work, then that soil that you toiled over will produce some good a yummy things.
The parade sounds like a really fun time!