Story and photos by Mark Wing

For the 21st year, Larry and Lorna Azevedo graciously opened their home in Corrales, NM (west of Albuquerque and close to the Rio Grande), to the Tin Lizzies of Albuquerque members to meet and decorate our Model T’s before the annual 4th of July parade down Corrales Road.  The Tin Lizzies had a fine showing of 17 cars, 4 of which were from the Azevedo’s collection.  The vehicles that day ranged from a 1912 touring car, to a 1925 telephone truck, as well as 1920 Luverne fire truck owned by the O’Brien family.

At 9AM, the decorated Tin Lizzies drove to a staging area on the northern end of the parade route.  Our club typically brings up the rear, with more modern cars (early V8’s, Model A’s, etc.) and parade floats preceding us.  This year, the wait seemed longer than usual, but it was an opportunity to visit with fellow club members and enjoy some snacks before we made our appearance.

There were a lot of spectators lining Corrales Road – especially young children.  It was a great thrill for the kids to see a small town parade very much like they were decades ago!

At the completion of the parade, it was time to return to Larry and Lorna’s for a picnic! Our Model T club was joined by the “Pocos Quatros” (Little Fours), the Albuquerque Model A club.  The Azevedos provided hotdogs and hamburgers while other club members brought side dishes and deserts.  The picnic was a great success!   It was a wonderful opportunity to eat tasty food, enjoy the company of friends, and relax on a lush green lawn in the shade of large Cottonwood trees!  In most of New Mexico, with its harsh arid desert environment, verdant and pastoral settings are very rare indeed!

Once again, the Azevedo’s made this 4th of July a very special day for both Model T and Model A clubs.  We can’t thank Larry and Lorna enough for their generosity, hospitality, patience, and good humor!