Stand Still

Most of us have probably heard all about the benefits of slowing down the pace of our lives, but yesterday, I had the opportunity to visit a small Minnesota town that not only slows down, it actually stands still. Whalan, Minnesota (population: "not very many" according to the locals) is host each year to a "Stand Still Parade". The legend is that years ago the residents decided that they wanted to have an annual parade, however; the town is only one block long so they determined it might not work..."the parade would be over before it even started". So they came up with an idea - what if the parade stood still right on the main street in town and people could walk through the parade at their own pace? The idea was genius (even if a bit quirky), and what they enjoy now is a celebration that showcases a small town in Minnesota at its finest.


A typical parade can be a spectacle - so loud and so fast, that you sometimes don't even realize what has just passed by. But a Stand Still parade is much different. There are no screaming fire engines and no clashing marching bands, no Shriners racing by in their mini cars, no unicycle groups showcasing their tricks, and (thankfully) no politicians. What you have instead is a chance to see what is of particular interest to you. You have a chance to stop and visit with the Grand Marshall about his tractor and to take a photo of the "Beef Princess". The veterans Honor Guard is there at the head of the parade as they should be, but they are sitting in formation in folding chairs and they have the opportunity to talk together, laugh, visit with the crowd instead of passing by. There are antique cars parked all along the way allowing time to appreciate the work that each owner has put into their restoration. There is music - "The Bandanas", a group of middle-aged sisters (whose harmonies are like a female barbers quartet) that perform covers of the Judds, the Everly Brothers, and Hank Williams interspersed with gospels and their own brand of stand up comedy. Like most parades, there are clowns, but not the scary kind - instead, these are locals dressed as silly clowns making balloon animals for the kids...for free. And there are two local men who have created "Stan's Still at the Parade". They dress in overalls (as most of the men in Whalan do) but they also add long haired wigs, and sets of really bad fake teeth and perform little skits that can't be described...they need to be seen. Everyone in town is there along with guests from miles around. Everyone is smiling and enjoying the slower pace. There is no rush.


Most of the time, I find myself rushing from one moment to the next. There are things to be done. There are projects at work to be completed, errands to be accomplished, and duties to be fulfilled. I know that I'm often so focused on what must be done next, that I'm not really in the moment of what I'm doing right now. Sometimes, moments are just passing by. My visit to Whalan yesterday was a reminder to me that life doesn't need to be a frantic, fast-paced parade. I was reminded of the beauty of taking a slower pace, even a stand still pace. 


So maybe today, you can spend a little time moving a bit slower, perhaps even standing still. Trust me, the world won't pass you by. In fact, it may even stand still with you for just a little while.