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Haldimand Motors - The Great Tricycle Race 2002: Dunnville Rotary's Wizard of Oz Float.
After the success of the Mudcat Festival parade float, Rotary invited me to add sound and music to their float entry in Haldimand Motors' 2002 Great Tricycle Race. This event brings service clubs and fire stations from everywhere in Haldimand County together in competition for prize money for their communities. The service club floats were competing for $5,000 in first prize money, with equally impressive second and third prizes.
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Bob finishes fastening the basket to the wicked witch's bicycle, and the Wizard of Oz theme is in full swing with a rainbow, a house with the 'other' witch's legs sticking out, and an old Army Jeep pulling the rig. The decorations were second to none, complete with a yellow-brick road and thousands of donated flowers. Yes, those are a set of speakers on the back of the Jeep, but don't worry, they're cleverly hidden later.
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Everyone helps out to get the float ready for its brief spin around Haldimand Motors' car lot, even non-Rotarians! Phyllis adds feathers and flowers to the bails of straw at the front of the float.
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I took care to hide the second set of speakers behind the flowers... "Just where is Judy Garland's music coming from anyway?"
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A full cast of characters! Munchkins, witches (good and wicked), the mayor of Munchkin Land, lolly-pop girls, Dorothy and everyone else - all dressed and ready to take to the lot and show Haldimand what they've worked so hard on.
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Jane (the good witch) and Archie (Oz townsperson) wave to onlookers as "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" plays on the mobile system just as they pass the judges stand. Wow, there's almost as much music power on that float as there is at the main stage!
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Lions and tigers and bears... oh my! Our favourite characters dance and wave to the crowd from their classic story come to life, and take first prize! Yes, Dunnville Rotarians took the event by storm and collected $5,000 for their club and community. Quite a few club members told me it must have been the music, which I of course like to believe, but I think it was everyone's effort that came together to make a great day and win a great prize from Haldimand Motors. Thanks again to Dunnville Rotary for inviting me to donate music services and share in their community spirit.
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