Patriotic Farmer Delights Parade Crowds

Patriotic Farmer Delights Parade Crowds WAGONS/TRAILERS Miscellaneous 22-4-44 Everyone loves it," says 85-year-old Frank Fradette of Eastman, Wis., about his 100-ft. long, 10-wagon "flag train" that's decorated with 612 colorful U.S. flags. Last year Fradette appeared in 24 parades. The train consists of a John Deere Gator pulling 10 wooden wagons covered with U.S. flags. Usually his wife ClaraBelle rides with him in the Gator. Neighbor kids sometimes ride in the wagons. Setting up takes a minimum of 3 hours. Everything was made so that it can be torn down and reassembled fast. When it's all broken down, everything will fit into one 8-ft. wide by 24-ft. long aluminum trailer. "It's a lot of work and time, but I enjoy it. My only regret is that I didn't start doing this when I was younger," says Fradette. "People salute as we drive by at parades, and some-times they give us a standing ovation. Occasionally someone will ask me, æWhy do you go to all that work - especially at your age?' I tell them, æIt's a good thing not everybody's like you or we wouldn't have parades.'" Frank and ClaraBelle buy flags year æround "whenever we can find them on sale. There's a lot of money invested in them. The seven largest ones cost about $15 each, but most are of the $2.49-or-less variety. I drilled holes in wooden 2 by 4's to hold the flags." For more information, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Frank Fradette, RR 1, Box 198, Eastman, Wis. 54626 (ph 608 734-3173).