Parades - What is the purpose?
 

I happen to live on a street where the annual Memorial Day parade goes by. It's a big one, lasts for about an hour. What a time to rob someone or set something on fire - half of the police and firemen and equipment of the county are tied up. I thought parades where stupid as a child and a cub scout when I was forced to walk in them. To this day I cannot understand the appeal of them, although I know they appeal to many. It seems there are those who like to be in parades, those who enjoy standing along the road watching parades, and those like me who think parades are stupid. What am I missing that others find so wonderful about parades? I live near Philadelphia and thus grew up almost forced to watch a passing glimpse of the Mummer's Parade every New Year's day. I cannot believe people actually do such a thing, let alone go watch it. Does anyone else find parades silly?

Yes and no. First off if it is anything to do with a war then I am in support of say vets and soldiers parading in uniform and medals. Imagine being a surviving member of the Armed Forces after WW2 walking through your town/city!?

Conversely my first wife's younger brother wanted me to be in a parade as a Star War person. I refused no problem. The rest of the family all got dressed up looking like idiots. I remember seeing an Easter parade in Spain in the 1950's. Somehow that was more impressive even at a young age.

Parades (Memorial Day) are an occasion to pay respect to those that have served as well as all those who have fallen.

That's what they mean to me. Unfortunately, the message is lost today.

Seattle has an annual parade with painted naked people on bicycles that is immensely popular. I saw it once *cough* okay maybe twice. But I prefer parades with marching bands and classic cars. Marching bands are pretty cool. I never get tired of hearing Louie Louie. :)

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I grew up in Philly as well and remember going to the mummers day parade as well. Never was a fan of parades.
I like others do see the appeal and fully support the armed services and such that are represented, beyond that, I could do without the hole parade thing.

Totally silly. But this comes from a guy who lives in the city with the largest gay parade on the planet. We havea couple of Christmas parades, a Memorial Day parade and at least one ad hoc 4th of July parade. That one is the most fun because there are no official organizers. It's just a bunch on car nuts cruising slowly thru some residential streets to a park where they break out the hot dogs and punch (!).

you've obviously never been to a Louisiana Mardi Gras parade. if you don't have fun, you're doing it wrong

Parades in Nevada City are common place. July 4th was the best. Super soakers were popular and it turned into a big water fight. When they banned the water guns I stopped going.

I can't remember the last parade I watched, not my thing. I have no issue, however, being inconvenienced for any parade of any type, especially patriotic or for a medical cause. Celebrate, donate, clean up and all the best.

A good friend of mine is an old car and truck nut and has quite a collection of vintage Army trucks, a fire truck and a few 40's Chevy trucks. He asked me to drive one of his trucks in a local Veterans Day parade a few years ago.

My area of Maryland has a lot of active and retired military so the parade is large...they basically close the town of Leonardtown for the afternoon.

I have to say that it is pretty amazing to see the look on peoples faces from the "ride", especially if you're throwing candy to the kids from the bed of the truck.:cool:

It is a hoot. I do it every year. Still can't go watch one. Weird.

I'm torn...

I do honor our servicemen (my dad was air force and I have friends that are enlisted)

However I'm not certain a parade is the best way to honor them. (think of all the silly parades)

I was in the marching band in high school (trumpet) therefor I have been in more parades than I have watched.

The enigma just get worse, my wife is from a huge parade town (Portland) and loves them. I am from a town (Los Angeles) with arguably them most famous parade (Rose).... [yes, Mardi Gras is probably more famous... but just sayin... ours maybe gets more TV coverage :p].

All that to say, I can take them or leave them... wife has drug me to a few... left to my own devices I doubt I would attend any.

In small towns they bring the community together. It's an old tradition that I don't want to see fade away.

I thought the Doodah Parade was the big event in LA?

Pales by comparison to the Portland Pirate parade ;)

Arrr!

My favorite was the ADD parade... but I got distracted and I missed it...

Last time I was at a parade was with Santa Clause. They even lit fire crackers...many moons ago.
The only time today you could get me to be a sidewalk supportive would be to watch my hero's being chauffered by.
Most are dead anyways.
I find the concept such as a circus act. When I watch one, I'm curious to see if one vehicle or float will run into each other.
Perhaps, they're a now too many convertibles here with the roof off that emulate floats and most being ostentatious that the whole interest is gone.

My town has a July 4th parade. Boy Scouts, HS band, old cars, the works. About 10 years ago the kids were shooting silly string at the motor cops. They let it go that year, but let it be known that the next July 4th people would be arrested. It stopped cold, and rightly so.

When I go to a Parade and there are Bag Pipes Playing, I think about the Funeral of my first wife...........

She's not dead yet, but it makes me think about her funeral!

I'm not a parade person, but I do go to the yearly parade we have here in our little village. It lasts about 30 to 40 minutes total. The local agencies & organizations get funky little parade vehicles together, there are lots of antique tractors, & lots of early cars from the early 1900s, & a few fly overs by some old bi-wing airplanes in formation. Afterwards there is a band, BBQ, and parking lot fair. The proceeds from some of the functions & the BBQ go to support the town hall and charities.

I am so going to use that one day!!!