By Sharon Challenger
Labor Day weekend typically brings up memories of picnics and outings at the beach, but residents in one local neighborhood celebrate differently.
In Higganum, the residents of Hidden Lake have been celebrating Labor Day weekend by hosting an annual tractor parade for the last twenty years, maybe longer. The tradition was started by Gunnar Grenman, resident of Higganum and former Transfer Station employee who lost his life in a boating accident in 2018.
Andy Munson, a Hidden lake homeowner explained, “Kurt (Tiger) Carlson and his wife Yvonne organize it, and everything begins at their house at noon with a kind of potluck picnic.”
Then around 1:00 p.m. Andy and his wife Lori drove to the other side of the lake for beverages “and a couple of rounds of God Bless America at another neighbor’s house.”
That was followed by “having hot dogs at a neighbor named Larry’s house, and on to another neighbor’s for a half hour or so for more camaraderie.”
The parade winds its way up Hidden Lake, down and around Charles Mary, and out to the cul-de-sac on Morgan’s Way, where participants are met by a group of residents who serve dessert!
It doesn’t end there, Andy concluded, “Finally, it’s up the street to one more house where everyone parks and eats again! Last night they were making pizzas!”
Andy and his wife Lori left for home at around 6:30 p.m. feeling quite content and most likely well-fed.
“It’s a long day but a great way for the neighborhood to end the summer,” he concluded.
This year’s parade involved 45 tractors or “units” as they are referred to. The parade vehicles included tractors, golf carts, jeeps, and a Kubota tractor-loader backhoe. A new vehicle appeared in the parade, a bright blue Ford tractor with small blue cars attached for children to ride in. The cheerful little Hidden Lake Train was a big hit with many of the neighborhood children.
Photos by Lori and Andy Munson.
