Well, there we are. Some of us, anyway. The parade party is such an in-and-out affair. The biggest difference between this year and, say, 2005 (my first spring in the Fives) is all the babies. Look at all those young'uns. I remember going to big shindigs with my family as a wee one, with the grownups disappearing in small groups and coming back smelling funny, meeting other kids that I still run into (mostly, admittedly, in bars and at shows). So I look at my friends' babies and think, here we go again. As for the parade itself, we cheered nearly every float, beauty queen, marching band, business, politician, community group, poop-scooping prisoner, and boiled peanut vendor who went past my house. Now, there was pretty much dead silence as the Sons of Confederate Vets went slouching past us, with one or two calls of "out with the old south, in with the new!" and "you're standing in the way of progress!" I know, some folks just love the play the martyr, and I'm as proud a southerner as you'll find, but damn. Give up all that crap and get up here with the rest of us. I promise, it's a lot more fun. But I suspect they're not doing as well these days - it looks like they couldn't afford to bring in that one Black Confederate that hires out to groups like that so they can claim not to be racists.
Days of prep, hours of party. Still well worth it.
8 comments:
So much fun. I'm so glad I was there this year. WELL worth it.
I'm glad you were there, too. I mean, what's better than a parade?
Looks like you live further on down the parade route than where I used to live. I was down by the Governor’s Mansion in the staging area, where activities started way too early. But once I got over being rousted by all the hubbub, you’re right, life on the parade route was nice.
True, although I do wind up with my friends banging on my door before 9 am, trying to get into the side yard where I keep the keg.
Were you in the big yellow rental house?
Just across 1st Ave. from the yellow house, next door to The Grove. There's a little brick building there (behind the old Blount's Plumbing) with 4 apartments in it. I never noticed it until I lived there.
We could walk out and watch the parade sitting on the hill in front of the yellow house, which was actually an excellent vantage point.
I know exactly where that is. I think a gal I knew named Alex lived there for a while in the late 80s.
I'm a big fan of all of Tallahassee's little, weird, tucked away apartments.
My family and I always camp on the curb near your crib. It doubles the entertainment of the parade experience.
I especially liked the reaction from the fellas on the lgbt float.
Next time, stop and say howdy and have a beer.
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