Parades.

Believe it or not, up until about 8 years ago, I had never attended a parade. It wasn’t until the 4^th of July parade in the town where I live that I had a full understanding of what it was like to sit on the curb, watch a precession of floats move by, and best of all enjoy what has made America…Americana. I do like parades and have not missed one since.

In the parade in our town you will often find many of the same happenings every year. It all starts with fire engines from our town, and neighboring ones, coming down the streets with their sirens blaring and horns honking. It’s really loud. We then have the usual suspects ranging from---school bands, floats and my favorite, the Jessie White Tumblers. If you live outside of Chicago, you will likely have no idea who these tumblers are; they are young men who live in the inner city and are sponsored by Jessie White, a long-time local politician. They are flat out awesome. They fly through the air, jump over one another and really show how talented they are to a very appreciative crowd---they also get the biggest ovation. (The kids love to go because candy is tossed into the crowd and where there is candy, there are kids.)

We also have some unusual sites; we have a grown man who dresses up like Superman and entertains the crowd. He also wears his Superman outfit to other events around our town---he is mentally challenged, but is well known. When he walks by in his “Clark Kent” outfit, people will say there’s “Superman.” Then of course we have the Shriner’s driving their small cars and motorcycles; they drive in circles and crazy patterns waving to the crowds, and we all wave back. I’m not sure if we are waving and wishing they would move on or because we really are happy to see them. Probably a combination because no one really seems to care.

I have never been to any real famous parades like the Rose Bowl or Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parades, but would like to go one day; in particular the Macy’s parade with its large floats and cheering crowds. I would also love to go to another “Championship” parade but the next time I will have to have more patience, find my spot, and stay put. I did not have a good handle on what to expect and walked away with very few photos.

The photo above was taken this Friday at my dentist’s office while the masses celebrated below for the Chicago Blackhawks winning the Stanley Cup. As I leaned out the window from 18 stories up, I saw the start of the marching band and wanted to get a picture. I had it all in my head how I would shoot it, but I also had in my head not that I didn’t want to fall out the window---it was not a comfortable way to shoot. I guess it would have made the news, but that’s not how I wanted to celebrate the victory or the photograph.

Thanks for stopping by.