popplers

Living in Pleasantville

Today we decorated Dave's truck and "marched" in Maynard's Christmas Parade. Got up early (for a weekend) and headed over to Artspace to help The Misfits assemble Acme Theater's parade entry. We had garland, lights, greenery, Christmas music, and a 5' inflatable [strap-on] Mickey. Minnie Mouse and Pluto were there, too.

The truck came out pretty well. We tied a wreath onto the front grille. We put up a cloth banner over the tailgate to advertise the upcoming Concert for the Holidaze. And we went nuts with the garland and greenery and lights. Cold weather (and windy!) but we got it all together.

The Misfits raided the costume closet and we had an interesting mix of characters accompanying our "float": Henry VIII, a sheriff, an elf, Tigger, five members of Dangerous Liaisons, and a silly wizard (think Mickey in The Sorceror's Apprentice, not Gandalf).

Tigger was clearly the most popular with the under-10 set (and not just because she had the box of candy), but the fancy French costumes also got some compliments. [I didn't have my camera with me, but pictures were taken. If I can get copies and scan them in, I will. We may never see Chris in period costume again, but he looked darned good.]

The actual parade was more fun than I would have expected. Santa arrived via helicopter, which was pretty cool. The helicopter buzzed Main Street a few times (with Santa waving to the assembled throngs), then landed in the parking lot of Clock Tower Place. Santa's sleigh was not pulled by eight tiny reindeer— it was on top of a flatbed from Butler Lumber, not far behind the Maynard High School Marching Band. We were in front of the EMTs and the marching band, and behind the Night Before Christmas float.

The parade route looped around the downtown area and back to the Mill (total time: about an hour), and then we all went out the Sit 'n Bull for burgers and beer. Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas!

Posted by rv at December 5, 2004 07:23 PM to home