« My disabled horn | Main | counting the days now »
September 29, 2004
Do's and Don'ts of Parades
After a few years of experience walking in parades with WJTL and being a parade attendee, I have learned a few "tricks of the trade". If you have anything to add, comment away ya'll.
Parade Participant
1. Dress in layers: Sometimes you will get hot from the stopping and going with the bucket of candy, but at the end of the fall night, you will want a sweatshirt.
2. Ration the Candy: Remember that you don't want to jip the little girl with the big brown eyes at the end. (Sadly all the planning in the world won't work if the other staff are too overzealous with the candy tossing...hm...maybe hiding some under a car seat would be a good idea).
3. Parades rarely start on time...knowing this ahead of time will prevent much frustration.
4. Smile, even at the drunk guy with the middle finger.
5. Every once in a while stop and take a look around at the people. It's a great opportunity to see the beauty in diversity...even in small town Lancaster county or rural VT.
Attendee
1. Watch out for the inebriated Mummers
2. Stand by the cute little ones, or better yet, borrow a friends child for the evening if you are looking for some candy.
3. Watch out for the guys with the cart full of balloons and neon devices.
4. Go a little over the edge and have some fun...sway to the music, wave to the paraders, do the chicken dance...c'mon, it's a parade for goodness sakes.
Posted by stacey at September 29, 2004 09:58 PM
Comments
You're so fun. You make me smile.
Posted by: Heidi at September 30, 2004 08:36 AM
I want to go to a parade and do the chicken dance!
Posted by: Karen Sprengel at October 1, 2004 09:36 AM