Special Edition - Sunday, March 16, 2008...As we prepared for the last five BBQs of the Fred Smith 100 County Extra Effort BBQ Tour, we were invited to Kelly's Restaurant's 19th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Kitty Hawk. We were going to be in the neighborhood the next day so why not arrive a day early. Mike Kelly, a well-known Democrat from Dare County, stopped in to say hello to Fred. As he was leaving the RV, I complimented his bright green pants. "I'm glad you like them. I told my daughter they go really well with my 'red-neck." Fred roared with laughter. During the parade Fred walked in front of the RV waving to folks and shaking hands; Joe and I walked beside the bus handing out brochures and flyers about The Lee Greenwood Rally for Fred Smith for Governor 2008 at Washington High School on Monday, March 31 at 7:00 p.m. I fell behind as people asked questions and I answered. Then I was four or five floats behind and the fire engine siren was blaring in my ear. I'd jog (that's a funny site) back up to the RV, replenish supplies and repeat the process. Lots of friendly North Carolinians, a couple of folks who were clearly supporting opposition candidates and lots of people from out of town - Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Maryland. When we completed the route we went to Kelly's Restaurant. Fred caught the ACC scores and the rest of our team enjoyed complimentary hotdogs. Bill worked the crowd talking about Fred, Fred came out and listened to the band and watched folks dancing, and the Harley Davidson Bikers Club awarded me a necklace of beads and an invitation to come back to Dare County April 24-27 for Biker Weekend. I could be talked into that.

Mr. Kelly welcomed Fred to the microphone and Fred thanked Mike and encouraged everyone to register to vote no matter who they vote for. Then Chris East, who is running for the state house, said the same thing. Since the theme of the parade was "Inform Yourself-Get Out and Vote," I'm glad Fred and Chris made the extra effort to be at the parade. They were the only candidates in attendance. We left the festivities to visit the Home Expo at the Outer Banks Mall. Fred and Bill worked the room while I enjoyed seeing the latest in home furnishings - hardware, software, tiles, heating systems, siding, roof materials, recycled plastic lawn furniture. After all these months on the road, I still take these diversions as "five minute vacations." We left lots of BBQ invitations and headed to an early dinner. Fred had never had the opportunity to eat at the seafood restaurant owned by Senate majority leader Mark Basnight in Nags Head so our team enjoyed the ocean catch. Fred caught Tiger Woods final strokes at an Orlando Golf Tournament on TV and scouted out the restaurant's many dining rooms. He left a business card for Mr. Basnight and the driver took us back to the hotel for computer catch-up and a good night's sleep. Our team was ready for the final BBQ adventure.