Vigilante Parade

By Melody Perry

On May 3rd, students from Capital and Helena High School gathered downtown to put on the annual Vigilante Parade. At 11:30, half an hour to the parade’s start, most parking spots were filled, forcing people to park in the many spots in front of Reeder’s Alley. At the Paw Print’s location facing the Women’s Mural, a Kettle Corn stand stood across the road, and people flocked around the booth to buy popcorn for the parade. Other parade watchers, ranging in age from middle schoolers just excused for the day to parents and young kids, brought coolers or purchased food and drinks from nearby shops. Everyone either sat on the curb, park benches, blankets laid out on grassy patches, or in foldable camping chairs.

The parade emerged from the walking mall with horseback riders carrying their flags, a firetruck, and the police. Behind them, Capital’s band lead the way, playing the school song, Round and Round, followed by the Cadettes. Many floats were duplicated, though each had its own unique style. One float on Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks had an actual helicopter on the back. Some floats for 4H or the fair had live animals on them like goats, cows, or miniature horses. The Juniors won the A.J. Roberts Cup with 40.6% participation, followed by the Seniors, Sophomores, and Freshman.

“The Benton” with Treg Wolstein, Kyler Armstrong, Colin Beatty, McKoy Gebhardt, Jake Gestring, George Henkel, and Cody Hoover earned the title of Grand Champion.

For Most Historically Accurate, Morgyn Hutchinson, Kaelan Casey, Josh Lee, Zane McCormick, Monte Pearson, and Mac Shuman won with the “Cabins in Reeder’s Alley.”

The American Indian award went to Freedom Nash and Heaven Bogy with their float, “Language Preservation: Indian Sign Language Council of 1930.”

For Antique Vehicles, Justin Patten and GeriLynn Cutler won with a pink 1957 Thunderbird.