Parades, Parades, Parades Review

From the Williamson Apple Blossom Festival, the Sulfur Springs Festival (Clifton Springs), the Spencerport Firemen's Parade, the Albion Strawberry Festival to the Marilla Firemen's Parade, the corps has been very busy doing parades, parades, parades. Thousands lined the streets for all of these great events come rain or shine and believe me we experienced some of both. Doing these parades is really gratifying and well worth the effort when you see the crowds. Hearing all those people; the kids, the parents and the grandparents cheering for us is such a great feeling. It's just a lot of fun……….

Williamson started out with a torrential downpour just minutes before the parade but as predicted by one of the parade marshals the rains stopped and the sun came out just in time. Adding the OTL Fanfare and New York In Less Than A Minute has really perked up our parade repertoire.

Off to the lovely smell of the Sulfur Springs Festival and Mike DeMarco's home town of Clifton Springs. Definitely a bit warmer for this event but thanks to Mike and his family we were able to keep cool, hydrate and have a bite to eat between the parade and the short concert for the appreciative local residents celebrating this annual event. Seems like we should be sure that every place we do a parade there should be a corps member with a place like DeMarco & Buckley Salon. Thanks again Mike.

On to the Spencerport Firemen's Parade. As we led this one there is little time for stopping and taking a break or playing a tune for the crowd. This parade seems like it's done before it even gets started. I guess that gets us to the beer tent a little quicker though. The one important part is that the corps has the distinction of playing for the Spencerport Fire Department including the Ladies Auxiliary and the Explorers, volunteers who have been protecting this community and its surrounding towns since 1890. Also, I met the couple that won the 50/50 at the Classic that night and they plan send a donation to the corps. So many people out there that enjoy our entertainment.

Then came the 2-for-day as we started out with the Albion Strawberry Festival in mine and several others in the corps home town. The threat of rain with some sprinkles marked the beginning of the parade but it held off long enough for us to stay reasonably dry throughout the event. As we marched the parade route I spotted several familiar faces, some alumni of MSJ cheering us on. Franky, great job at the reviewing stand with Georgia. After a little break we played a short concert at the end of the food court. Great opportunity again to work on the show tunes that we don't get to play too much this time of year. Apparently the uniform police were sleeping because there were a few who decided to wear their berets backwards. Check it out if Curt posts the pictures from Bob Albanese. After the concert Tom Fintak was gracious enough to have the VFW open its doors to the corps for a place to relax and eat lunch. Thanks Tommy. Also thanks to Sully and Cooper for cooking the dogs and setting up the meal. Hey Sully, next time bring some bread.

After a little visit with my mom down on the east end of town (isn't she cute Shellie) we were off to the Marilla Firemen's Parade. Several of us met at the Marilla Grill and reminisced about last year's outing after the Elma parade. Again another great and appreciative crowd lined 2 Rod Rd. as we played lots of music. Had the opportunity to stop a couple of times to do Georgia with Henry on lead for the 1st time, once in front of the Grill and boy did people love it. The parade threw us a little bone when the last bit of it was an uphill climb back to the fair grounds. Oh well it can't be all down hill. What a great evening for a parade.

I'd just like to take a minute to express my gratitude to everyone who has made the effort to do all of these parades. The smiles on all of the spectators' faces is enough to keep us going. The kids and the elders who come out to these parades really appreciate our being there. Hopefully we will never let them down. Also a special thanks needs to go out to Eddie Reese and Bob Bonds for so capably taking us down the street. Their insight as to when to do what gets taken for granted way too often. Again thanks guys and thanks to all for being there. This is the fun part of being a member of Mighty St. Joe's. I'm sorry to say that Amy and I won't be doing Wellsboro this weekend. We are both really bummed about that. This is one of, if not, the best events of the year. Hope everyone has a great time and knock 'em dead on Nichols Street.

See you all at Barnard, Thursday 6/26…..

Bob