The One With Memorial Day

 

 

 

Yet another Memorial Day was upon us this year. For the first time in a few years, we only had one horse in the race. Bri was an observer and Kiff was playing trumpet. Tony and Nancy also joined us, and it was great to see so many people we knew in attendance.

Sadly, the actual parade was canceled for this year. There forecast called for rain and there would have been a downpour right before the parade ended. However, the ceremony in the  multipurpose room at HRMS still continued.

As with most years, the ceremony was great. The band played and the chorus sang. Dave McKenna, from the Historical Society, talked about the legacy of Danvers soldiers in the Revolution...which was significant given this is the 250th anniversary of the country. Kiff also performed Taps in front of the audience this year (he was the shadow last year). He did an amazing job.

The One With the Beverly Parade

 

 

 

Once again, the annual Beverly Parade descended upon us. This time, only one of our kiddoes was going to be in it. Kiff was taking to the streets to do the honor. He was wearing a classic, and new, ugly sweater for the occasion.

 The parade was as lovely as ever, though the weather was a bit miserable. It was cold and rainy, which dampened the moon. However, the Falcons band did a stand out job as they performed holiday hits as they marched down the street,

 We talked to a neat lady who was connected with the Beverly marching band. She even recommended local bands that Kiff could join if he wanted to be part of a student orchestra.

Bri was impressed that Kiff was in the middle of the front line. According to her, they only put people who can help keep time in that spot. Kudos to him.

It was a great parade. We then went to Tony C's to get lunch and then I took Bri back to UMass. Overall, it was a great day! 

The One With the Veterans Day Parade

 

 

Earlier today, we were in Boston to attend the fourth annual Boston Veteran's Day parade, otherwise known as Boston's Salute to Service. 

Both Bri and Kiff were in attendance for the parade, though it was Bri's last parade. Unlike years past, when Emmie and I watched from the Boston Common, we actually sojourned down to the Boston Public Library area and watched the beginning of the parade, then followed the band all the way to the end.

It was quite a parade. Clearly, word has gotten out about the parade, unlike the first year, when there were only a few spectators. There were quite a few DHS families in attendance, which was fun to watch as we went through the streets.

I think I took about four videos from different locations. The band played their standard military tunes, which were always amazing!!! The wrapped up at City Hall Plaza, booming their music off the buildings that lined the streets there. I found a picture on the Berkeley Beacon above of Nathan, Natalie, and a few other band members from today.

While we were there to see the Falcons, there were several other fun groups as well. There was a small Civil War re-enactment group. There were several military groups. The USS Constitution sailors also showed up, as well as an East Boston Junior ROTC group.

Afterward, they went over to Quincy Market and had lunch. Emmie and I did as well, and did a little quick shopping, like we always do. All and all, it was a great and glorious day for a parade.

The One With the Veteran's Day Parde

 

 

Today, we went to the Veteran's Day Parade in Boston. Two years ago, the city restarted this tradition after what appears to be a long hiatus. And, for the past three years, the DHS band has performed.

 Kiff and Bri were both in it this year as well.  They took the bus and I met them in Boston parking at the garage near Faneuil Hall. Unfortunately, Emmie had a migraine, so I was running solo.

Although I was at the Common waiting for quite some time - so much so that it looked like there was no parade going on. I was interviewed by two people from the Emerson student newspaper because I had my Falcons jacket on. However, once the parade got rolling down our street, it was a spectacle.

The band sounded amazing...as you could tell from the people watching it. It even paused where I was - which gave me the chance to cross the street and get some nice pictures (I tried to be better than most people watching the parade, who rushed across during any break they found).

One the band passed, I followed it down. The route was a little longer this year - it went down to City Hall Plaza. The way the sound echoed off the buildings made it seem like the band was three times its size. 

Once they disbanded, they spent some time at Fanueil Hall and then went home. It was an amazing event!

The One With The North End Parade

 

 

Today, our kids - along with the Danvers High School Marching Band - were in the 50th annual North End Christmas Parade. And, boy, was it a show.

First, we should mention that Emmie and I decided to chaperone our first parade. It was quite an adventure. Little did we know it would be about 20°F. But, that was no worry. It was a blast. We even took the bus in with the students. I was the wagon wheeler (it reminded me of Time for Timer).

However, the real treat was the parade itself. It was amazing Bri was in color guard as usual and Kiff was playing trumpet. The entire band was dressed up in their Christmas ugliest - with a plethora of ugly sweaters (actually, most were rather snazzy).

The parade itself featured all sorts of attractions - mascots like Blaze the Bruin, Elmo, Mickey Mouse, a Minion (Kiff got a picture with one with the trumpet section) and more. It was amazing! Santa also arrived by helicopter, which was pretty cool. Wally and Tessie from the Red Sox were behind us...awesome.

The parade itself wove through the streets of the North End, ebbing all around and actually recrossing a few spots (including twice by Mike's Pastry - yum). It was long - and chilly - but a spectacular to watch (and to be a part of for the first time). 

This was a quaint addition to the Christmas festivities calendar, but one we will hopefully get to do again!.

The One Where Bri is in the St. Patrick's Day Parade

 

 

As I type this Emmie, Kiff, and I have been watching the St. Patrick's Day parade in South Boston. This is the first time Boston has hosted it in two years because of the Covid Pandemic. As a result of that fact and the fact that we didn't know the area that well, we decided to watch the. Danvers High School Marching Band from home (which was probably a good idea, because it was PACKED).

 

Needless to say, it has been an awesome parade to watch. Not only is it one of the biggest events to return to Boston in two years - what a way to usher in a new era and to welcome the first day of spring - it was the first time we got to see the group on regional TV.

 

It did not disappoint. We were able to see the marching band probably better than we would in person, and it was QUITE an experience. Bri was on TV several times, performing in the color guard with her lime green shirt and rainbow flag. WOW. That was fantastic!

 

We did notice that the spot where A street meets Broadway seems to be a great place to see it. That is where NECN has their announcing booth and it seems like an idea spot to catch the parade in the future.

 

Bravo Bri!!! Right now it is time to return to the parade as the American Legion walks through the parade.

The One With a Fourth of July First Place

This past week, we made our triumphant return to the annual Highlands Horribles Parade. This is a fun parade that passes by our house every Fourth of July. For two years in a row, we partook in the parade and took a respite last year. However, as the revelers past last year, we realized we missed it.

So this year, we made a triumphant return. Emmie launched a beach party theme group and invited people to join us. And join us they did. We had about 20 people in our group following the theme. What fun.

Although we all had a blast, we did have a special moment in the ceremony as well. Our group won First Place for Best Float in our category based on the wagon we created with a portable beach part. HOW AWESOME!


It was great to be back. And we already have a plan for next year...Highlands All Stars!!!

The One With Baseball and Softball Parade Day

It finally arrived...
The opening day of baseball. Earlier today.

It was a fabulous start. It was a little rough around the edges because Kiff was not feeling well today (it turns out he has pneumonia) and the fact Bri had a birthday party to go to. 

However, we definitely made it work all around. The parade itself went well. Bri then had a practice. Overall, it was pretty good...but she does have to work on batting.

Then, we had our first game as the Rockies. Not so bad...we pulled out a 4 - 1 win.

Overall, not a bad opening day.

The One With The Busy Day

Wow...
Yesterday was busy.
Very busy.
Bri had a dance competition in NH that last several hours
They earned two silvers for their dances.

Meanwhile, here, Kiff had a baseball parade
Followed by 20 minutes for lunch
And a baseball game
Which went well
We then at at Chucks for a early supper, late lunch

Followed by a car ride late a night.

Wow! What a busy time of year.

The One With the Parade

Yesterday was quite a day, filled with many things.

 But one that sticks out was the event that started out the day...the SoftBall Parade.

This is the first year Bri has decided to play softball and we started the day by heading to the center of town at 9:30 for the softball parade. There, the teams gathered to march with the Little League through the center of town to their prospective home fields.

Bri was nervous at first that we might be late - after all, this was a new event to her. But, was excited when we got there. She found a friend and together - with her team - held the banner and shouted "Let's Go Dukes" through town.

It was fun to watch the procession...which was long indeed....go through town, by Tapley Hall, cutting down Essex street before Gios, and heading to Pickering Street, past the YMCA, and to the school. But, they hung in there well.

There were many people we knew as well, which made it fun. But, what stood out was the past that it was like the passing of a tradition...I remember walking in the parade in Natick back in the 1980s...just like her.

Now, on with the season.