March 17th brought many magical things to downtown Indianapolis as the warm sun revealed leprechauns searching for gold, the ever-popular Gordon Pipers, floats galore, and the traditional excitement of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. This year’s fanfare even included a familiar Special Olympics Indiana – Marion County South athlete among the traditional parade festivities. Madison Earl was riding high atop a shiny, red, restored 1947 International Harvester KB-8 fire engine!
Madison was situated front and center on the fire engine as she waved to the crowd, all the while searching for her classmates along the parade route. As the mighty fire engine rolled through the crowded streets, the stars must have aligned just right. Of all the spectators packed along the bustling streets — there they were, waving wildly and yelling, “Madison!”
Madison’s classmates, many of whom are fellow Marion County Southside Storm athletes, took a break from Franklin Central High School classes to attend the parade and eat lunch downtown at Acapulco Joe’s. They were cheering on Madison as her red chariot carried her in style along the parade route during the 36th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration.
The Warren Township Fire Department purchased the 1947 International Harvester KB-8 fire engine after the engine retired from serving in Muir, Pennsylvania (1948-1994). Retired Warren Township firefighter and owner of General Improvement, Gary Powell, and fellow firefighter, Mike Fontaine, restored the fire engine between December 1999 and April 2003.
You just never know where you will see our Marion County Southside Storm athletes pop-up next! 😀
Southside Storm 