We decided to enter the 57 in the 2014 Canada Day parade at Oxford Center.  It rained at around 6AM but was warm and breezy for the rest of the day.

The engine got a bit warm while parading at crawl speeds, but coasting in neutral with the revs at about 2000rpm helped to cool it off.  The strap in aux. electric fan wasnt kicking on for some reason.  Dad added that aux. fans when he and Mom were tripping around North America showing the car.  The fan came out for judging at the shows.

I was driving and my Mother was the passenger side "flag-bearer", our Chihuahua/Miniature Pinscher mix "Suzie" came along for the ride. This was the 1st time since Dad's passing that the 57 was entered in the Oxford Center Parade, previously Mom and Dad entered the car in the parade.

 I do have to send my condolences to the Hampson family.  Bill Hampson passed away June 28, 2014 at the age of 70.  He and his Son Paul have a dairy farm near Oxford Center. Bill was heavily involved in the Ayrshire cow breed and Ayrshire Canada and was a past President and became an honourary lifetime member of Ayrshire Canada in 2013.  He was a member of the local chapter of the Optimists Club and was a great asset to the community, he will be missed. Bill and his family were part of the planning and execution of the Oxford Center Canada Day celebration.

I will always fondly remember goose hunting and shooting trap with Bill and the boys..

Here is a clip from Ayrshire Canada:

I was friends with Bill's oldest son Tom until his death in a car accident on my birthday March 27, 1993. Tom was 18 years old, I had just turned 17. Another good friend was seriously injured but ultimately recovered.  Those were difficult times, some of us got tattoos to commemorate Tom.  Tom's cousin Andrew actually drew the design of the tatoo I received. Later Andrew who is Bill's nephew and longtime neighbour, and I joined the Army and actually went through Basic Training together.  I also took Bill's youngest Daughter Mary to our grade 12 prom at College Avenue Secondary School(CASS).  Myself, Bills daughter Mary, Bills nephew Andrew and his date, and another friend Paul McFarland and his date Shelli (and now Wife) all took Dad's 57 out to dinner and then to prom. Three guys up front, three beautiful gals in the back, 4 windows rolled down, the only proper way to cruise in a hardtop coupe. (sorry about the wind in your hair ladies) We were young and had the entire highway of life ahead of us. A great time was had by all.

Again my condolences to the entire Hampson family.