Sucky SUCKY Parade!!!

Ok people - you know me - you know that I RARELY complain about anything put on by volunteers - in fact, I'm usually in awe of all that is accomplished by these people, BUT - I'm here to tell you that the Pathways Parade in Bolingbrook today - SUCKED!!! It stunk the join up - in fact, I did not see ANY of it - except the Bbk High band that happened to march by me. After that - I packed up my little chair and child and headed for an ice-cream that I had promised one sweet little girl scout that I would buy and then went home!!!! And again - you all know how I truly LOVE parades - the bands and drums and flags and floats - it really does get me right in the heart - most people complain about a 2 hour parade - *I* say dang, why couldn't it be 3 or 4 hours. So for me to walk away is a HUGE thing. But it just stunk THAT much!!!

Here's the scoop: Sally is a patrol and was to walk with the Chief of Police. We dropped her off - problem 1: The parade person standing with the patrols who were there had NO idea where they were to go and who was going to be "in charge" of them. So Bill volunteered to stay and Jack and I took the truck - parked at Town Center and then called Bill. He tells us that the parade person had told him that the parade would come down Canterbury and when they got to the Town Center/ Post Office turn that the people would turn in there and floats and bands (things too big and too able to "bunch up") were going straight down to Briarcliff. Sounds good - Jack and I set up right at that drive by the sign and waited. Now remember that walkers (Sally) have to be at the line up early - so Jack and I were sitting at 1:15 - parade to kick off at 2:00 - but now sweat. Not a problem to wait when you get to see your daughter walk down the street with her "typical" peers with her Patrol belt on. So we passed the time talking and watching all the dogs (you wouldn't believe the people that bring dogs to the parade).

Soon we heard the sirens. "They're coming, they're coming !" Jack starts yelling. So we turn and hey, I can see the patrols. I can see little people with neon belts on coming down the street,I've got my camera all lined up - going to get LOTS of pictures --- but wait! They're turning! And NOT at MY turn!!! WHAT!!!!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME????? All of a sudden there is a HUGE rush of people from down the street - because EVERYONE thought they were turning at the PO!!!! I was/ am SOOOOOO TICKED!!! That was it - I was ready to call my Senator and complain! So after the patrols turned Rodger and wife didn't. Neither did the band - they both went straight. After that I have no idea what happened - we left.

From watching people, cops and parade people - NO ONE knew what the hell was going on today. I have calmed down a little though - I remembered that the parade does appear on BCT - so we will watch it there - I will tape it and run it back and forward. :-)

Plus, as we went to the back of Town Center we encountered the Park District gang with the train and all the counselors that know Jack and Sal and they all said hello and messed with the kids - so my faith in "public-ness" hasn't been totally shaken. :-) Maybe THEY should run the parade - I bet it would go off better. But the way I feel - I think my Mom's quilting group (of which she at age 73 is the "spring chicken") would do a better job.

Sucky, Sucky Sucky Parade.