A slice of small town life

 

"Governor Gooch" poses at the Goochland History Center before the parade.

Groups large and small rode floats or marched along River Road West from the Courthouse Green to the old elementary school in the 2025 Goochland Day Parade. It was a wonderful expression of our community. Following are random observations and a few photos.

The comfortable pace of the procession allowed for greetings between marchers and watchers with even some stopping to hug friends along the way.

Our marching Bulldogs kept the beat of the parade

The excellent Goochland County Sheriff’s Office color guard led the way. Ingenious floats, including that of the Goochland Garden Club, a pickup festooned with colorful flowers fashioned from plastic bottles and a beehive to host pollinators, outdid each other for creativity.

The Goochland Garden Club float was one of many ingenious floats

The procession paid homage to Goochland’s proud past and bright future. “Governor Gooch,” resplendent in period regalia, rode in a horse drawn carriage.  The Goochland High School competition-winning Junkyard Dogs Robotics team (https://www.team2106.org/) marched with its latest technological creation “Guppy” embracing the future.

Junkyard Dogs and "Guppy" marched

Impressive tractors pulled floats celebrating Goochland’s agricultural heritage, a vital component of rural character.

Rural at its best

Monacan Soil and Water Conservation District

The  Goochland High School Band under the direction of Jay Sykes kept the beat. Its tunes floating on the air of a perfect day. Members of the Class of 25 also marched. May success and satisfaction follow them on the next step of life’s journey.

GoochlandCares had marchers represented some of the services it offers, including vegetables for the food pantry and a tooth for the dental clinic.

Celebrating the many services offered by GoochlandCares

The Goochland Christmas Mother, lots of fire-rescue apparatus, including Sparky the Fire Dog riding with Chief Ferguson.  McGruff the Crime Dog rode with Sheriff Creasey.

Ghostbusters kept the event specter free and two tiny Shriner cars zoomed along the route. Local businesses participated and there were lots of bubbles!

No parade is complete without Shriner tiny car antics

 Thanks to all who made it happen.