I’m lucky enough to live in a Mayberry-esque town that hosts an annual Memorial Day Parade. Now, generally, I stay away from giant parades because they mean crowds and trouble parking. But this one is perfect: it’s short (less than an hour) and the entire community comes out to support it.
Local businesses like the Mexican restaurant that’s been here since the ’60s, local politicians, and groups of kids (like my friend’s daughter’s Irish dance group) inch their way down Marlborough Street. It’s not surprising to see a parade participant run off course to give a neighbor a hug. There’s none of your fancy floats here. Model Ts and fire trucks are the mode of transportation.
There’s even a family in the neighborhood, known for their annual haunted house, that have an inventive float…just because. This year’s theme was Whack-a-Mole.
Max has outgrown going to the parade, but I’m one big kid who never will tire of it. The energy and community connection make it an event I look forward to every year.