Send in the clowns, marching bands

I went to the Everett Independence Day parade with my husband and daughter. Parades are supposed to have clowns, marching bands, majorettes and cheerleaders. Not to mention our troops. This year it seemed that everyone in the parade was using it as a forum to advertise for election day. I think we left the parade with six or seven different flyers, and we didn’t put our hand out for all of them.

Aren’t parades meant for children and celebration? My daughter looked at me and asked “Where are the clowns?” I told her not this year – I guess these days you need to go to the circus to see a clown. I hope next year the city of Everett will have a better screening process and not let all of the political figures take over the parade. Bring back the marching bands, the Shriners and the clowns!

Desiree Mitchell

Marysville