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'What a Country,' indeed: Pear Blossom Parade marches to patriotic beat photo by Jim Craven Shelane Stromme, 13, of Medford, dons a lovely shade of patina green while marching as a flag-waving Statue of Liberty in Saturday's Pear Blossom Parade. By AYISHA YAHYA Mail Tribune Despite ominous clouds that threatened to break wide open, thousands of people lined the streets Saturday to watch Medford's annual salute to spring, the Pear Blossom Parade. Huddled beneath umbrellas and raincoats to ward off drizzling rain, spectators clapped, cheered and waved as about 150 parade entries sashayed by. Red, white and blue were the colors of the day in honor of this year's theme, "What a Country," chosen in remembrance of Sept. 11. Hundreds of American flags fluttered on floats. Spectators stood to salute the flag as it led the parade, carried by Medford police officers. Young rockers from the Barracudas wailed "I'm so glad I'm living in the USA" as they paraded by. Horses strutted through the streets, their tails and legs adorned with the nation's colors. Even Lady Liberty appeared, riding high in the "Spirit of America" float. Hillah Temple Shriners zoomed by on go-carts and miniature cars. Bands from Medford, Phoenix and Ashland high schools churned out music as a llama dressed in a flag suit and a miniature white horse named Betty marched along. Spectators enjoyed the parade for different reasons. First-timer Chuck Levine of Ashland said he liked the parade's theme and its "patriotic flavor." "It had to be that," he said. "It couldn't be anything else. Not this year." Jon Lilligren, who has come to the parade every year since he moved to Medford nine years ago, said he liked it because it brought people together. "The community is all getting together and having fun," he said. "It promotes community spirit. "With all that happened with September 11, it reminds people, keeps their sense of pride," he said. Ron Miller of Medford even brought his pet snake out to watch the fun. The red-tailed boa named Hades seemed to enjoy everything except the motorbikes, Miller said. "He wasn't too crazy about the motorbikes," he said. "I could feel the vibrations in his body." Those who felt hunger pangs could easily duck into the Pear Blossom Street Fair at Alba Park. Throngs of people waited by the booths, ready to sample old-fashioned kettle corn, candy floss, curly fries and hotdogs. There were also arts and craft booths. Cliff Simonsen of Medford said he was impressed by the parade and the fair. "It's my first experience and I'm having plenty of fun," he said. "I like the food and the music." Like his fellow Americans, he said the parade had a special message. "Patriotism is the right thing, at the right time," he said. Reach Ayisha Yahya at [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.