It’s been very quiet here in my little corner of the blogosphere. I’m back and it’s time to make some noise!

I’ve been working on lots of sewing projects but they are probably not “blog worthy”. But….I decided to share this one with you anyhow.

I live in a former fishing village. Once upon a time, there were no tourists or retirees or scallopers. It was fishing and shrimping and crabbing as THE way of life. I understand from 5th generation locals, that there weren’t even manatees back then. Then Old Homosassa and the Homosassa River was discovered. Bars, restaurants, tourists, retirees, scallopers, Harleys, and manatees all followed.

Fishing and shrimping is still a small part of life here. And once a year we have the Shrimpapalooza. A festival centered around shrimp. Really.

Okay! It’s actually an excuse to have a party and it starts with a parade–Mardi Gras Old Homosassa Style.

Now that you have a brief history let me add that most of the parade is taken up with decorated golf carts. (Old Homosassa is a golf cart community.) There were 44 of these shrimp or Mardi Gras themed vehicles in the celebration this year! The Shriners were there. Along with the grand marshall who was from the local cable news station. And lots of other interesting entrees.

Terry and I usually decorate our cart and join the fun but this year the Homosassa Ukers decided to “march” in the parade. Now, you may have never heard of ukuleles being a parade instrument but yes, we were in the parade. Planning started months ago. Since I’m the chief sewist in the group, I volunteered to make the banner. Used my Cricut Maker to create the letters. Fourth project on that electronic tool. Now I love my Maker!

We have four kids that we are teaching ukulele in an after-school enrichment program at the Old Homosassa Learning Center. They are the Homosassa Uker Juniors. Two of the kids were picked to carry the banner.

And one of them got the flu. So the evening before the parade, we went to Plan B!

After finishing the banner, I was able to throw together some shrimp hats….

And some stuffed shrimps and found little toy ukuleles at the Dollar Tree to decorate the cart with.

Of course, we had to have beads! It is Mardi-Gras! And it’s even better if they have shrimp on them!

We had 15 ukers show up. Which is pretty good for a group of 20 and some being out with various illnesses.

Even my little uker that had the flu was well enough to participate.

We sang and played to “When the Saints Come Marching In”. The audience sang right along with us! (I wrote the chords on my arm so I wouldn’t forget them and by the end of almost two miles of parade route, I didn’t have to look at my arm anymore!)

I even made it onto that local cable news channel.

I know, you want my autograph!

Back to REAL sewing projects next week!