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July 4th Parades in Temple and Amherst, NH Dept of Peace Celebrations
TEMPLE, NH
Grace, NH's eight foot tall dove which was created for the Fourth of July last year, was invited along with her Department of Peace representatives to march in the town of Temple's 250th Birthday Celebration/ Independence Day parade.
Prior to the occasion she was featured in an article which highlighted the work of the Department of Peace and Nonviolence.
The parade itself was a classic, small town event up the picturesque main street of the village of Temple (home to America's First Town Band established in 1799!).
Although not grand in terms of numbers in attendance, we had many quality conversations and interest aplenty when we tabled at the town center following the procession.
AMHERST, NH
However, a week before the Fourth I became aware of the parade's theme; Founding Fathers. Once this seed was planted in my brain, I could not let go of the historical fact mentioned in DoP literature; that Founding Father Benjamin Rush (of PA.) proposed an Office of Peace Plan back in 1792. I found the document and read his radical proposal and his impressive biography. Then I knew he must manifest in some way for the parade.
It was last minute but worthwhile. Only four of us marched; I, dressed as Julia, Benjamin's wife, Barbara on the bullhorn making introductions and a friend along with Kathy ringing their bells and carrying our signs. The Amherst Fourth of July festivities draw quite a crowd. It was great exposure though we could not linger due to the next parade engagement.
One highlight was the smiling recognition and knowing wave from our district Representative from the viewing stand as Benjamin Rush and the Department of Peace and Nonviolence were announced as we passed for review. Surely, he knows us by now! (Although privately he supports the effort, he has not yet been willing to commit publically.)
Jan Grossman - NH Department of Peace Steering Committee
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Due to our invitation to march in the Temple celebration, our initial intention was to forgo the Amherst parade. 
As things flow when guided by inspiration, Benjamin Rush hastened into creation in the form of a mannequin and some adapted second hand clothes. His true features arose from an enlargement of an old painting and he strolled along on a rolling tea cart (whose purpose I could never have foreseen when I initially picked it up at a consignment shop!)