I Love A Parade

I’ve always wanted to be in one.

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is the ultimate in my dreams.

Last weekend was the Bluffton Christmas Parade. It’s a big deal in our town and my neighbor suggested that we participate. Yes, I said. Absolutely! I was hopeful that after a debut parade appearance, albeit a relatively small one, the Macy’s gig might be in my future. When one doesn’t have decades left to attain one’s dreams, one must take every opportunity to grab the brass ring.

Or, in this case, the handle on the little red wagon. Filled with deeply confused chickens.

My neighbor, source of all ideas, concepts, costumes, and, in this case, chickens, was our leader. We strapped on our chicken hats, (doesn’t everyone have chicken hats in their attics?) donned our gloriously feathered masks, and our cheery Christmas socks and gloves.

The chickens, Phil, Belva, and Weezie, in glitzy neckwear, were safely cooped up in their wagon to protect them from fight or flight. Saletta was scheduled to be with us but balked at the last minute. Chickens can be so moody.

Off we went. All five of us. Surreptitiously. Down the back alley-ways.

See, we weren’t formally part of the parade. Hadn’t applied for that all important “permit.” So, we jumped the line, squeezing ourselves and the chickens in between the Boys and Girls Club Marching Band and the Jackson’s Towing Service float.

The roads had been blocked off, the streets were crowded, Christmas cheer was in the air and the weather was perfect.

It wasn’t long before it became evident that we, even dressed as festively as we were, were not the main attraction of our “act.” Those chickens got all the attention.

Most of the kids didn’t know what they were. Many had no idea that the eggs they eat for breakfast actually come from those feathered beings.

Adults wanted to know if the chickens “interacted” with humans. Many wondered why one would have chickens in the first place. It was a teaching moment for the parade goers.

It was not, I’m sad to say, the giant step towards the Macy’s Parade that I had hoped for.

What it was, however, was fun.