Bubble Machines and Lawn Chairs

Random observations from the Gold Cup and Saucer Parade:

  • Bubble machines are big, and an easy and cheap way to give your float lots of visual energy.
  • What’s with the older gentleman, a “float of one” walking along in a sombrero?
  • Islanders seem to have abandoned the collapsable lawn chairs in a bag that were so obvious at the Festival of Lights and turned back to traditional lawn chairs. No word on whether Steven Garrity has followed the herd or not.
  • Majorettes are showing more skin these days, and the anti-anorexia movement is, thankfully, demonstrating headway, as evidenced by the variety of body types present. Unfortunately this also appears to mean that Majorettes no longer actually twirl or throw batons, they just walk along carrying them.
  • Is Hagar the Horrible popular enough to warrant a giant floating balloon statue? I heard a lot of parents trying to convince their kids it was really Elmo in a Viking costume; kids weren’t buying it.
  • Only in Charlottetown could the winner of the award for “Most Humourous Float” be a float consisting of a flatbed truck of people in hippie costumes smoking giant pretend joints. I thought “obvious drug references” were banned in North America since Nancy Reagan? Thank God we’re still free here on the Island.
  • Every father hopes their son will grow up to be hip and cool and eschew parades in favour of John Coltrane records and mint juleps. I am failing in this regard: Oliver loves marching bands and horses and Bush Dumville’s antique car. He even like Hagar the Elmo.
In the grand tradition of my family, I left the parade early.

Comments

Johnny's picture
Johnny on August 16, 2002 - 16:55 Permalink

Can you explain, for those in the family uninitiated in such things, what the grand tradition of our family is as it relates to leaving parades early?

Peter Rukavina's picture
Peter Rukavina on August 16, 2002 - 16:58 Permalink

When Mom and Dad visited Charlottetown for the first time, we spoke with great glee of the upcoming parade. When Gold Cup and Saucer Day arrived, we got prime positions in front of the Three Green Man at University and Grafton. The parade came. Dad yawned. About 15 minutes in, he made a comment about this being a “cut rate parade” and we were forced to leave. Of course I have actively shunned him ever since of of loyalty to the parade.

Steven Garrity's picture
Steven Garrity on August 16, 2002 - 17:51 Permalink

I’m still with the folding bag chair — still gold. Missed the parade though.

BiG C Lawn and Landscape's picture
BiG C Lawn and ... on August 29, 2003 - 22:08 Permalink

Providing lawn care, landscaping and hardscaping services all through Greater Cincinnati, Ohio. … cincinnati landscaping, cincinnati landscape, cincinnati lawn, cincinnati contractors, cincinnati flowers, …

Baby Car Seats's picture
Baby Car Seats on October 13, 2003 - 20:09 Permalink

Shop for baby car seats, and child car seats. Choose your price range. Choose your brand. … baby car seats, car seats, car seat, child car seats, infant, toddler, children, babies, …

joe's picture
joe on January 2, 2004 - 04:55 Permalink

Handcrafted Redwood Garden Bridges from 4 ft to 30ft placed over your pond, creek, stream or landscaped yard makes a perfect setting for everyone to enjoy. Serving our customers since 1998. www.RedwoodGardenBridges.com

Flat Screen TV Shop's picture
Flat Screen TV Shop on June 16, 2004 - 21:38 Permalink

Shop for a flat screen tv, LCD tv, or a plasma screen tv. Find your favorite flat panel tv brand: Sony, Samsung, Sharp, RCA, Panasonic and more.