The West Indian Parade has a for reputation running late, with huge gaps — like ten minutes or more — between floats. But, the sensory experience of it all entices people year after year to spend three or four or five hours waiting and watching as the parade makes its way from Main Street in the Clay Arsenal neighborhood to Bushnell Park in downtown.
Sight

Between feathered, sequined, and beaded costumes and the many flags representing Caribbean countries — including Barbados, Saint Lucia, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago — there was nothing drab about this parade on Saturday, August 10, 2013.
Sound

A drill team asks permission to perform in front of the judges’ table. Whistles are blown by dancers. Drums. Lots of drums. Ears ring after some flatbeds, stacked with amplification systems requiring large generators, pass by.

Touch

Costumes too unwieldy for just one person to manage, some needed assistance getting their wings.

Face it. Even the puppet dances better than you.

 

Glitter and sweat

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At other parades, you might have seen a resurgence in hula hooping, roller derby, and moustaches.

The JADHA (Juvenile and Adult Diabetes Health Awareness) Foundation and Family Ministries is trying to bring back double dutch.

The Cultural Dance Troupe of the West Indies brought its “3 Ring Circus” act to the parade, stealing the show with a performance to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scent and Taste

Wrapping up in Bushnell Park, one walks through a haze of smoke from the barbecue. Roti. Veggie patties. Possibly an entire flock of chickens being grilled.

See many more pics from the West Indian Independence Celebration and Parade.