Slipstream - August 2008

Parade for Kids
Photos by everyone there
Parade? A family vacation? No way, right? Well, if
you think that, you would be wrong and missing
out on a great experience. We have taken Jasmine
to seven Parades in her eleven years on this planet and she
has enjoyed every single one of them! Each year she looks
forward to going
and has a blast
not only while
there, but on
the drive to and
from. Whether
we choose interesting
sites on
the way there or
on the way home,
we try to make
that part fun, as
well. A trick we learned a few years ago is to bring a friend
with her, as well. The cost doesn’t go up that much and it
nearly guarantees they won’t be bored.
While at Parade, there are always a lot of kids around
to meet and play with. Kids from all over the country come
with their parents, also not really knowing what to expect.
I’ve yet to see a disappointed child by the end of the week.
Yeah, maybe the concours gets boring after the first couple
hours, but that’s why you schedule other activities afterwards
that day. To be honest, the concours is boring to ME after a
while, too! I know… I’m a blasphemer.
Jerry and Myra Sutton with Aubrey,
one of Maverick’s older Parade Kid!
Jasmine and Capri with
new friend Peter Porsche
Anyway, Parade organizers
have really stepped
up their game in the past
few years with kids hospitality
rooms, slot car
rooms (sponsored, of
course), RC car activities,
kids autocross, etc.
Instead of asking, “Mommy,
what is this on my
plate?” they get to dine on
pizza, chicken strips, and
other foods more suited to
their palates. Babysitting is available during the longer, less
interesting (to them) awards banquets. This year’s kids hospitality
was loaded with stuff for kids of all ages to do. The
little ones could delight in coloring, playing Candy Land,
or watching Barbie Fairytopia while the older ones had a
blast playing Rock Band or one of the other video games
with their friends. Mostly, though, it just gave them time
to become new friends with someone who lived across the
country. Jasmine and her friend, Capri, made friends with
Fran and Adam Ussery. His first
competitive Parade
Lauren, a girl from Hilton
Head, South Carolina. They
hung out all week and even
participated in outside activities
together. The parents
were great and really came
through for us watching the
girls while James and I competed
in the 5-hour long rally.
That’s the beauty of going to
Parade with kids. We might
never have met these great
people if our kids hadn’t become
friends first! The girls can’t WAIT until next year to
see each other again in Colorado. Unless, of course, we
make it out to Hilton Head, where we’ve been invited to stay
with them. Friendships all around.
Adam concentrating on the
Zone Challenge Driving Simulator
Do I think they
should change the slogan
to “It’s not just the cars,
it’s the kids?” Nah, but
you shouldn’t be afraid
to go on a week-long vacation
with your kids to
THIS Porsche Club event.
We’ve gone to some
amazing places that we
might never have seen
if Parade wasn’t hosted
there. Some notable destinations
include Boise,
Milwaukee, and Charlotte. Lovely cities, all of them, but
given a list of vacation spots that I would choose… they
probably wouldn’t have been on it and we would have really
missed out. Just try one and you might be a Parade convert,
too! Next year’s trek to Keystone, Colorado… can we leave
NOW? I’ll see you and your kids there! by Wendy Shoffit
Adults acting like Kids
12