Tiny circus performers steal the show at TVE Baby Parade in Liberty

Liberty, Texas, is home to one of the oldest baby parades in the country—the Trinity Valley Exposition (TVE) Baby Parade, which proudly holds the distinction of being the “oldest true baby parade in the United States.”

This cherished tradition sees local families deck their little ones in creative costumes, each year following a different theme. For the parade held this year on Saturday, Oct. 12, the theme was “The Greatest Show on Earth,” filling the streets of downtown Liberty with circus-inspired floats, costumes, and performances.

This year’s parade was sponsored by Hometown Tire and Auto and featured a variety of entries in the Walking, Riding, Small Float, and Large Float divisions.

Below is a breakdown of the charming and creative entries that delighted parade-goers:

Walking Division:

• “The Lion Tamer” featured Morgan Brown, 4, as the brave lion tamer, and her younger sibling, Everly Brown, 3 months old, as the lion. The two are the children of Kevin and Lauren Brown.
• Star Twirl Cheer & Gym, a gym serving children from Liberty and Chambers counties, marched proudly with its team. Led by instructors Julie Campbell, Chloe Sims, Karon Phillips, and Denise Cowan, the group continues its tradition of supporting the TVE.

Riding Division:

• “The Tiger Show” showcased the Meche and Williams children as roaring tigers and the fearless tamer. The tigers were Ruby Meche, 5, the daughter of Ross Meche and Kimberly Harris; McKenna Meche, 5, the daughter of Kayla and Ryan Meche; and Annslea Williams, 1, the daughter of Allison and Reid Williams. The tiger tamer was Myles Meche, 3, the son of Kayla and Ryan Meche.
• “I’m Just Here for the Snacks” portrayed a concession stand worker, played by 8-month-old Austin Briggs McNeely, the son of Kaleb and Sarah McNeely.
• “Concession Stand Cuties” brought sweet treats to life with Caroline Caldwell, 1, as Cotton Candy, the daughter of Trevor and Shelby Caldwell; Logan Koen, 2, as Candy Apple, the daughter of Cameron and Kadie Koen; Paxton Ballenger, 8 months, as Lollipop, the son of Kevin Ballenger and Jacelyn Traeger; and Naomi Deckert, 9 months, as Popcorn, the daughter of Cody and Taylor Deckert.
• “The Magic Show” dazzled the crowd with Parker Ward, 8 months, as a deck of cards, the son of Kora and Ross Ward; Brooke Lacefield, 6 months, as a rabbit, and Preston Lacefield, 2, as the magician, both the children of Shelby and Jon Lacefield.
• “Bumper Cars” featured siblings Lucy Potetz, 3, and Mack Potetz, 1, the children of Cullen and Julie Potetz.
• “Here Comes Monkey Trouble and We’re Not Lion” featured Palmer Mearns, 2, as a monkey, the daughter of Jarret and Kristin Mearns, and Christopher Moss, 1, as a lion, the son of Andrew and Catherine Moss.
• “Popcorn and Trapeze” highlighted the Liberty and Smathers families with Lawson Liberty, 16 months, as a popcorn seller, the son of Luke and Cory Liberty; Hank Smathers, 21 months, as a popcorn seller; and Elliot Smathers, 4, as a trapeze artist. Hank and Elliot are the children of John and Sara Smathers.
• “Charlee’s Carnival Sweet Treats” sweetened the parade with Charlee Brooks, 4 months, the daughter of Bryan and Amanda Brooks.
• “Pick a Duck” featured Gage Billings, 6 months, the son of Chris and Melanie Billings, ready for fun.

Small Float Division:

• H & M Carnival featured twin sisters Hollis Kate Fisher and Magnolia Hayze Fisher, 7 months old, as a monkey and lion. They are the daughters of Hayze and Kaitlyn Fisher, and the grandchildren of Eric and Kerry Fisher and Garland and Brandi Maughan.

Large Float Division:

• Barnum & Babies took center stage with Dean Dwyer, 2, as a mime, the son of Kathleen and Bobby Dwyer; Hank Harris, 2, as a clown, and Charlie Harris, 1, as a lion. Hank and Charlie are the children of Luke and Hailey Harris. Evelyn Duff, 4, the daughter of Erin and Joe Duff, portrayed the lion tamer, while Ellie Ann VanDeventer, 2, played Dumbo, the daughter of Adam and Mackenzie VanDeventer. Collins and Cooper Costlow, the children of Cole and Augusta Costlow, completed the float as adorable rubber ducks.
• Barnum’s Animals highlighted a range of circus creatures with Blakely Melancon, 5, as a tiger, and her sibling, Bodie Melancon, 1, as a monkey. They are the children of Payson and Marly Melancon. Monroe Cotton, 5, played an elephant, and her brother, Konnar Cotton, 1, was the strongman. Monroe and Konnar are the children of Dillon and Kaycee Cotton. Rounding out the float was River Legar, 1, as a lion, the son of Joe and Payton Legar.