This year’s Strawberry Festival parade featured John Patrell as Grand Marshal, but it was ‘Tyrone? who stole the show in Leonard.
As the pair rode down Elmwood Street in a classic car, Tyrone ? a furry little puppet wearing a green hat, vest and beads along with sunglasses ? could be seen waving and blowing kisses to the cheering crowd.
‘All the little kids were laughing and clapping,? said Patrell, who’s lived in Addison since 1960. ‘A couple of kids gave him a high-five.?
‘Even the older people got a kick out of him,? he added.
Tyrone is Patrell’s alter ego ? or perhaps it’s the other way around.
‘I got him about 25 or 30 years ago when I was down in Nashville and I’ve had a lot of fun with him ever since,? Patrell said.
From birthday parties to the golf course, you never know where Tyrone’s going to pop up next.
‘People love to talk to him,? Patrell said.
A bit of a flirt, Tyrone enjoys throwing kisses to pretty girls.
‘They throw kisses right back at him,? Patrell said.
Despite all the time they’ve spent together, Patrell admitted he still doesn’t know what Tyrone is.
‘I don’t have any idea,? he said.
On behalf of Tyrone and himself, Patrell said, ‘I want to thank all the people for waving at us and giving us some attention (at the parade).?