Float first at Coulee City parade

The Odessa Community Float had some “stand-in” passengers at the annual Last Stand Rodeo Parade in Coulee City on Saturday, May 27. Christa Clouter (queen in training) and Elizabeth Schwartz (princess in training) are the granddaughters of Odessa’s Jan Webster, who was in charge of revamping the float this year.

Two of Odessa’s royalty were at the state track meet in Cheney this weekend and one was in New Orleans with the Knowledge Bowl team, so Webster went on the hunt for substitutes. She did not have far to look, as two of her granddaughters reside in Coulee City and were happy to help out with the Odessa float.

Webster and her daughter Jennifer Schwartz marched beside the float and performed the “Chicken Dance” along the entire parade route. “People stood up and danced with us as we went by,” said Webster. “I’m glad we went; it was a little shot in the arm for us. Their driver was Justin Parr. The float won the Grand Champion ribbon.

Webster has also submitted an etnry form to participate in the Reardan MuleDays parade June 2. If she is able to locate a driver, her granddaughters will once again ride the flot due to high school graduation cremonies taking place in Odessa.