With the urging of my children, I am writing another page of my life and that of my 13 children.

I have lived in Arvada and the surrounding area about 61 years. They want me to tell of happenings in those years. I have been to the Arvada Harvest Parade and Festival about 61 years. Of those years, I have missed only three parades. One because of a death in the family, I was in the hospital for one and the third we were rained out - it was one of those great downpours. We went but had to come home.

The first festival was about 20 minutes long, and now they are about two hours long. It is always hot, but we love every minute of them.

The best, of course, is our military with their display of our flags and bands. Of course our family loves their schools and, best of all, the bands, as my family went through a great many schools in Arvada. Coming next is horses. It seems like the riding groups aren't in attendance as they used to be.

We have lived in the same house in Arvada for 34 years. We have a very nice neighborhood, our neighbors are great - ones who have lived her a long time and new ones.

Hope we will see all of you at the parade and festival this year.

Mary Fulton has lived in and around Arvada for 61 years.