Stepping into Tradition

Good morning.  It is 10:10 and we have just arrived at the main square where the parade route has been set up.  Two giant loudspeakers are pounding out music, traditional, in a 2, 2 beat.  A few people have already arrived and are seated on chairs, obviously they know the routine and have come early to claim prime spots.  There are 2 little girls next to me in elaborate costumes -- one even has her hair sprayed gold to match her crown and sequined dress.

More people are arriving all the time.  It seems that the spectators are children under 5 -- all dressed up-- and adults, some with colourful leis, but mostly in normal clothes.  The snack sellers are zeroing in on the kids to entice them to lollipops or multicoloured popcorn.  Most people know someone and greet them with the usual kiss on both cheeks.  A red and white coordinated lady in a wheelchair pushes to the rope barrier beside me -- she will get a good view.  The assembly is getting into the spirit of the event, singing along with the canned music.

It's now 10:25 and the police arrive.  The officer on the motorcycle will clear the path in front of the parade.  The cameras are out.

A small group on stilts leads.  The groups that follow are usually in themed costumes -- many elaborate and obviously purchased for the occasion.  The 'sea' group has crabs, octopi, squid, starfish, shells, regular fish, kelp beds, sharks, manta rays, turtles and clownfish.

The children that follow, from kindergarten to highschoolers are decked out in every imaginable costume -- spacemen, pizzas, animals, clown, bumblebees, clocks, tetris bricks, fruits, knights, exotic dancers, etc, etc.  Many of the kids look like they would rather be somewhere else, but some are dancing to the beat and engaging the crowd by tossing confetti or streamers.

After more than an hour, the last of the adult groups have passed me by.  The crowd is dispersing.  All that is left is the litter.  It was a great parade!  See you next year.