A bit confusing for the onlookers, the East Longmeadow 4th of July Parade, for the first time since its inception, marched along Elm Street from the west to the east rather than from the east to the west. The old folks who, through force of habit, looked expectantly to the right were forced to reverse the twist of their necks to look hopefully to the left (that is if they lived on the West side of Elm Street), and the old folks who, through force of habit, looked expectantly to the left were forced to reverse the twist of their necks (or cross the street) to look hopefully to the right (that is if they lived on the East side of Elm Street). The turnaround was disappointing for all who live on Elm Street, because by the time the parade participants arrived at Elm Street, approaching the finish line, they were too exhausted (granted the temperature was 96 degrees fahrenheit with almost the same number in humidity) to engage in their typical antics and interactions with the crowd. Even the folks who yearly throw handfuls of candy to the kids were (apparently) out of candy, or at the very least, out of the energy to toss the candy to the outstretched hands of the hopeful!
[To see a few of Marash Girl's photos of the East Longmeadow Parade, scroll down.]
Where were you last year for the real first time reverse parade route?
ReplyDeleteMarash Girl must have been looking in the wrong direction.
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