WoZhaWa 2011

Time for the annual WoZhaWa parade in Wisconsin Dells.  It is always an interesting parade, full of some great parade favorites from around the state.  We go each year and attend the parade pre-party for the VVA (Vietnam Veterans of America). It is a gathering for members, family of members and friends to the club.  Needless to say, it has been a great event each year for over 15 years now.  Thanks to Kay, and all of those that help to make such a great event each year, and to the Veterans in the club for their sacrifices as well.

 The only thing bike related in the parades over the years has been a few kids handing out brochures, the 25 man powered shrinercycle, and the occasional unicycle.  With the start of the Back Road Bike club this last spring, we have been considering a parade entry of our own.  Next year, we will have ourselves ready and organized to do so.  This year was a little hectic, and the "newness" of the club it would have been hard to get it all together.   No excuses though, next year for sure.


On to the point though.  After getting some pictures of the VVA club, we retired to the VFW tent to watch the Packer game.  The kids wanted to go shopping among the white tent market, so seeing sufficient Packer domination on the field, we began to walk along the parade route to browse the vendors.  In a side street, we came upon a wonderful surprise.  A highwheel bike, a 1887 Victor.  It belonged to, R.J. Gross (Bob).  Pictured at right.

We talked for a moment or two about old bikes, he explained to the kids some of the unique features of the old highwheel, then snapped a few pics. My son was the only one bold enough to take a ride around the side street.  While at first excited, his expression changed when he reached the seat, and realized how high off the ground he was.

A special thanks to my oldest daughter Andi for taking the pictures, and for the flat teenage refusal to be in them.  

Hopefully we can get together again with a few AntMill project restorations and go for a ride, or ride through a parade together.  The kids already have some ideas on era outfits for different decade bikes from the collection.  From the 80's back to the 40's we can cover so far just from some of our completed bikes.  Hope however, is to find an earlier 1900's bicycle to work on, just to bring it out for parades.  

A matter of time really.