How I love a parade! Old line, but in my case it’s as true now as it was 30~40 years ago. Doesn’t matter much to me what the parade is celebrating. And they all celebrate something, be it happy or somber.
When I was little, the Santas or Uncle Sams or goblins on the floats were secondary to the candy and popcorn balls they tossed. Racin’ around, dodging the under horses hooves and fire truck wheels, grabbin’ as many treats as I could was reason enough to be there.
When I really began to appreciate parades though, came after my time in the military. Fourth of July, Veterans Day and Memorial Day parades became more important than Thanksgiving, Halloween, even Christmas parades (maybe).
Although in recent years the Halloween parade has grown important to me (even though I don’t care much for the “holiday”). I actually get to participate with a great group of friends! Tossing candy (instead of grabbin’ it) along the parade route, watchin’ the kids scramble, squeal and giggle loading up on the treats, makes it very special.
The first time I actually “participated” in a parade as an adult was 1976. The bank asked (volunteered) me to take charge and put the banks float in the parade. As we made preparations on the float over the next couple Saturdays and several evenings, I realized how motivated the other young bank employees grew? It was Fourth of July and the country was 200 years old!
We went all out! The banks management seemed not to notice the amount of money I spent on the float (banks were profitable back then). The young women riding the float got up in wonderful “period” outfits. The float was a good size platform which we covered in every kind of Red, White and Blue decoration we could dream up. It was Grand!
Parade day found us trundling down the street under that hot south Florida sun! Waving, smiling, laughing throughout the entire couple hours it took to traverse the length of the main drag.
People lined the streets by the thousands! (well, a couple thousand?). The town wasn’t much larger than Honesdale. Sure seemed like thousands, what with all the “snowbirds” in attendance. It too was a “tourist” town (like Honesdale is becoming).
The defining moment for me came about halfway through the parade.
I was portraying “Uncle Sam”, by virtue of having a beard, which my young bank teller participants explained to me, would look “great” powdered gray? No one told me that the Executive VP of the bank had rented me a silk (rayon?) red, white and blue, stars and stripes outfit to wear (complete with top hat!). I figured (hoped) what the heck? No one would recognize me. And it was just for fun, right?
But then I got a little “caught up in the moment” by circumstance? Riding along, staggerin’ around on the swaying float, tryin’ not to trip or fall off..., I was waving and grinnin’ like a (fool) Happy Uncle Sam!
Every once in awhile, I’d point my arm and finger straight at some innocent parade attendee, imitating those old, “I Want You!”, war posters from the First World War era.
Then I did it to the wrong guy (?).
A serious look on my face, I assumed the pose, and pointing right at an old gentleman, mouthed the words, “I Want You!”
He looked frail, probably in his 80’s? I hadn’t noticed he was slouched in a wheel chair. And, (as I was about to observe) wearing a decorated, old WW 1 uniform!
When I pointed, his countenance froze. The cane lying across his chair dropped to the ground, as he removed a light coverlet from his lap. Steadying himself with both hands on the arm rails he slowly started to rise. Once he was standing, he drew himself up straight, coming to a rigid “attention” position. Then his veiny, old, wrinkled hand rose slowly to the brim of his cap, in somber, rigid military salute.
He held that salute until our float began to round the corner to the circle.
Without thinking, I came to attention! Returning that salute, I held it until he finally lowered his. Then he smiled!! His grin grew wider as people all over the street on both sides cheered and clapped at his display of pride! Me? I tried to dry the tears slippin’ down my cheeks on that stupid silk jacket.
“I Don’t Know About You..., But if you’re in a parade, you should be prepared to play your part, smilin’ an’ a wavin! (tears are optional).
Cal Teeple, founder of the Observational Cogitation Consortium, often spotted three stools down, may also be found at: www.wayneindependent.com/cal Or At: calteeple@gmail.com He may be ignored, accosted or contacted at all three.
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How I love a parade! Old line, but in my case it’s as true now as it was 30~40 years ago. Doesn’t matter much to me what the parade is celebrating. And they all celebrate something, be it happy or somber.
When I was little, the Santas or Uncle Sams or goblins on the floats were secondary to the candy and popcorn balls they tossed. Racin’ around, dodging the under horses hooves and fire truck wheels, grabbin’ as many treats as I could was reason enough to be there.
When I really began to appreciate parades though, came after my time in the military. Fourth of July, Veterans Day and Memorial Day parades became more important than Thanksgiving, Halloween, even Christmas parades (maybe).
Although in recent years the Halloween parade has grown important to me (even though I don’t care much for the “holiday”). I actually get to participate with a great group of friends! Tossing candy (instead of grabbin’ it) along the parade route, watchin’ the kids scramble, squeal and giggle loading up on the treats, makes it very special.
The first time I actually “participated” in a parade as an adult was 1976. The bank asked (volunteered) me to take charge and put the banks float in the parade. As we made preparations on the float over the next couple Saturdays and several evenings, I realized how motivated the other young bank employees grew? It was Fourth of July and the country was 200 years old!
We went all out! The banks management seemed not to notice the amount of money I spent on the float (banks were profitable back then). The young women riding the float got up in wonderful “period” outfits. The float was a good size platform which we covered in every kind of Red, White and Blue decoration we could dream up. It was Grand!
Parade day found us trundling down the street under that hot south Florida sun! Waving, smiling, laughing throughout the entire couple hours it took to traverse the length of the main drag.
People lined the streets by the thousands! (well, a couple thousand?). The town wasn’t much larger than Honesdale. Sure seemed like thousands, what with all the “snowbirds” in attendance. It too was a “tourist” town (like Honesdale is becoming).
The defining moment for me came about halfway through the parade.
I was portraying “Uncle Sam”, by virtue of having a beard, which my young bank teller participants explained to me, would look “great” powdered gray? No one told me that the Executive VP of the bank had rented me a silk (rayon?) red, white and blue, stars and stripes outfit to wear (complete with top hat!). I figured (hoped) what the heck? No one would recognize me. And it was just for fun, right?
But then I got a little “caught up in the moment” by circumstance? Riding along, staggerin’ around on the swaying float, tryin’ not to trip or fall off..., I was waving and grinnin’ like a (fool) Happy Uncle Sam!
Every once in awhile, I’d point my arm and finger straight at some innocent parade attendee, imitating those old, “I Want You!”, war posters from the First World War era.
Then I did it to the wrong guy (?).
A serious look on my face, I assumed the pose, and pointing right at an old gentleman, mouthed the words, “I Want You!”
He looked frail, probably in his 80’s? I hadn’t noticed he was slouched in a wheel chair. And, (as I was about to observe) wearing a decorated, old WW 1 uniform!
When I pointed, his countenance froze. The cane lying across his chair dropped to the ground, as he removed a light coverlet from his lap. Steadying himself with both hands on the arm rails he slowly started to rise. Once he was standing, he drew himself up straight, coming to a rigid “attention” position. Then his veiny, old, wrinkled hand rose slowly to the brim of his cap, in somber, rigid military salute.
He held that salute until our float began to round the corner to the circle.
Without thinking, I came to attention! Returning that salute, I held it until he finally lowered his. Then he smiled!! His grin grew wider as people all over the street on both sides cheered and clapped at his display of pride! Me? I tried to dry the tears slippin’ down my cheeks on that stupid silk jacket.
“I Don’t Know About You..., But if you’re in a parade, you should be prepared to play your part, smilin’ an’ a wavin! (tears are optional).
Cal Teeple, founder of the Observational Cogitation Consortium, often spotted three stools down, may also be found at: www.wayneindependent.com/cal Or At: calteeple@gmail.com He may be ignored, accosted or contacted at all three.
