Easter Parade 2010

Puerto Rican Day Parade

The Puerto Rican Day Parade is quite an event! Plan ahead to get there early if you want to set up your folding chair, cooler and red, white and blue decorations. Or get there when it starts to stay mobile, walk around and take in the atmosphere. I was in midtown around 53rd street, and it was pretty busy here. I think next time I'll take the 6 up to 77th street and meander my way back down to mid town.
There were lots and lots of flags waving, and many people wearing full sized flags as capes. Everyone had noisemakers - whistles, maracas, cow bells and the like. Smart of them not to ruin their voices ;) People wore every item of clothing that said "Puerto Rico" on it, and I actually felt a little out of place wearing a teal blue top rather than the red, white and blue. Vendors sold flags (small and large) and beads, and hats and noisemakers. Also, lots of flavored ice and ice cream trolleys. One random lady was selling empenadas out of a shopping cart. I had heard about her on Mid Town lunch, and I really should have bought one, but I didn't.

The parade was filled with all kinds of policitos - there was a polictical conference for the last few days in the city, and the parade is kind of the culmination of the conference. Also, many many many police groups. The military bands were very good, but seemed out of place when next to the floats blasting fabulous salsa music (I love salsa music!). There were many more dancing groups than actual bands and it was really cool to see the participants doing the salsa down the street rather than marching :) Some dancers carried flags or ribbons to fly in the air - others had these huge golden wings (see pic above). Those wings probably signify something, but I have no idea what. There were a few performers on inline skates, and more beauty queens than I could count.

I had heard there were problems at the Puerto Rican Parade previously, and the number of police on duty made me think that was probably true. I saw about 5 different young guys being taken away in handcuffs, but I didn't see any altercations or problems. While I was there early, it did seem like a family affair with people coming in large intergenerational groups. I didn't stay the whole time - hopefully the day went without any significant problems. I'm looking forward to next year!

NYC St Patrick's Day Parade

I'd never known there was a big St. Patrick's Day parade in Manhattan. It runs up 5th Ave between 44th Street and 86th. I'm thinking - bonus! I can just walk over!

I think that Saint Patrick's Day may have turned into a religious holiday. Depending on your age, and whether you actually are Irish, your experience will vary. Loads of parade viewers were dressed up with all manner of green - hats, sweaters, t-shirts, beads, garland, boas - you name it. Vendors were even selling green cotton candy. I left the apartment at 11:00 thinking that it would take time for the parade to actually get to 86th street. And it took about an hour for the parade to reach the upper east side.

When the parade started, I was pleasantly surprised to see the Londonderry High School marching band had made the trip to NYC for the celebration.

Unfortunately my camera battery died after this so you don't get to see all the gorgeous costumes and kilts and different kinds of plaid. Who knew there were this many people who play bagpipes on the East coast???

I only stayed a little more than an hour. This parade is the largest in NYC, and does not allow floats or vehicals. It lasted past 4:00. On the way home I ended up behind some college kids (was it really THAT long ago that I was that young?) and I think they may have started early in their celebrations. They had t-shirts they made - one girl was pleased to be known as Mc-O'lobe Ultra and very proud of her obvious Irish heritage.

Maybe next year I'll have some visitors that will come for the celebrations, and definitely next year I'll choose something other than alcohol to give up for lent. I'll remember to get some St Patricks Day beads, ties, hats and maybe even a boa ;)

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

We got to the parade route at 8:00 am - a little later than the web sites suggest. Look at all the people on the sidewalks. There was no place for us to stand without being in the way of the one line of people walking by to find their own place. There were benches not too far from the street, and we figured we'd be able to wait in relative comfort yet still see the floats and the balloons.





Rick tried not to smile while he ate an apple fritter from Starbucks.









Woo hoo! It's finally 9:00 am - the parade is starting!

Now that it's all starting Rick's smiling :)

Wow - we need to make friends with these people - an apartment overlooking Central Park West with a balcony .... I bet they were warm and they had mimosas and bloody marys... and turkey and stuffing...

Note to self - when we do come and get here at o-dark-thirty to claim a space on the street, be sure to pick a part of the wall that doesn't have vegetation - people will climb ANYTHING to get a better view.

Oooohhh - it's starting!!!

New Smurf balloon!

Snoopy as the Red Baron!

Hey! That's Dora the Explorer! At the parade she had her own special cheering section :) She brought Map and Backpack too!

She is REALLY BIG!

This is Abbey Kidabra - no idea who she is actually... but the kids seemed to like her :)

Hello kitty!

Ronald McDonald

The very special music balloon

Pikachu!

Buzz Lightyear!

Things I want to be sure to remember the next time I attend the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade:

1. DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE JUST HOW COLD YOU WILL BE SITTING OR STANDING STILL FOR HOURS.

2. Get there early. You can see the floats and balloons while not right on the street, but the handlers and band members are part of the show, and you will miss that if you aren't on the street. Better than nothing if you get there late is to find a high spot on the west side of the park.

3. Do not accept a spot with vegetation above it unless you have to. People will climb EVERYTHING in order to get a better view.

4. Bring breakfast snacks and a coffee thermos. Don't drink too much - if you leave to go to the bathroom you will lose your spot.

5. Bring a wool blanket - if you are lucky enough to get a spot on the park wall, it will add cushion under your butt. If not, it will make you warm when you are freezing.

6. Be sure your camera has fully charged batteries and an empty memory card - you will want to take lots of pictures!

7. Expect and acknowledge that there will be a 2 or 3 or 4 year old experiencing the biggest most horrible temper tantrum you have ever seen. If you are not able to actually see the child, you will wonder whether s/he is being stabbed to death or having their fingernails pulled out one by one.

8. Bring advil for the point where your feet are killing you and prior to when your feet are numb from the cold and standing still.

9. Make friends with those people near you so when you dance to the drum cores and marching bands they don't mind as much when you bump them.

10. Be sure to participate in the traditional Thanksgiving Hot Dog brunch. I like to add ketchup.

For all the things to remember, the biggest one is that the parade it like NOTHING you have seen anywhere else, and it is exciting and joyous! And yes, I am geeky enought that I TiVo the show on TV and then watch it later in the day. That way you get to see the Broadway selections and performers - it is a whole nother perspective which is part of the experience :)