By Emily Younker

eyounker@joplinglobe.com

CARTHAGE, Mo. — James Estes can’t remember exactly how long he has been coming to the Maple Leaf parade.

“Well, I’m 27, so I guess 27 years,” he said Saturday morning as he, his wife and three sons waited for the parade. “The whole Maple Leaf thing, it’s a tradition. It has been here for a long time, and it’ll be here a long time after we’re gone.”

The 43rd Maple Leaf Festival, which ended Saturday, drew tens of thousands of people with its parade, the highlight event. The parade hosted more than 200 entries, including marching bands from junior high schools, high schools and Missouri Southern State University; floats by local businesses and churches; and the Budweiser Clydesdales.

Wendy Estes said her family comes to the parade each year primarily for the Clydesdales, the bands and the Shriners.

“Our main reason now is the kids, and of course the kids come for the concession stand,” Estes said as her two older sons, aged 2 and 7, munched doughnuts and sipped hot chocolate. “The candy is the biggest thing for them. They start throwing candy (during the parade) and they go nuts.”

Marla Tournear, Webb City, remembers marching in six Maple Leaf parades as a trumpet player for the Carthage junior high school and high school bands.

“We had to practice a lot beforehand because it’s so long,” she said.

She now finds the parade to be nostalgic.

“While I’m watching everyone else in it, I see all my old friends who are also watching,” she said.

Pat Lawhorn, Tournear’s mother, said she has been coming to the parade for about 40 years. Marching band is in her blood, too: She played the trombone when she was a high school student in Carterville.

“Carterville used to have a high school band, and I used to march in it. We marched around the square,” though it wasn’t part of the Maple Leaf parade, Lawhorn said.

Saturday marked the first Maple Leaf parade for Jim Brigman, of Purdy. The Clydesdales and the bands were among his favorite entries, particularly because his son was marching with the Purdy High School band.

“I’ve always wanted to come, so I got up early, and so did (my son),” Brigman said. “It’s unbelievable, all the people who come out.”