The Class of 1986 made the news. I believe that is the class valedictorian featured there at the beginning.
Nothing like a little impromptu dancing after the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Staring the Dancing Divas, the Helping Hang Mission Band and of course members from the Class of 1986.
Yes – that is the wind you hear roaring in the background. I realized it was windy but until I watched this again I didn’t realize how much.
This year’s entry into the parade was almost a complete surprise. Until the morning of the event I had no idea what the parade krewe had cooked up for this year. The mystery theme was Homecoming for the Class of 1986. And from the looks of things a few of the participants had been in cold storage since 1986 or were at the most enjoying no more than the first grade at the time. It was a great display featuring the styles of the mid-1980s and a crowd favorite Yeti. (Most of the crowd – not this little girl.)
It was great to see this awesome tradition continue without me. Our plans changed earlier in the week and while CaraDMc and I made an early ride through the parade we still timed it where we got to see this spectacle 3 times on the route and they were having a blast the entire time. So much so I think most of them missed us once or twice.
Thanks to everyone that participated for keeping the real streak alive with the Raleigh St. Patrick’s Day Parade. I hope this continues for many years to come and continues to grow and evolve with new people and new ideas. I know we’ve never been a Parade Committee favorite but having the luxury of seeing the parade from all sides and angles this year I think this group brings something that a lot of other groups don’t. There is a level of excitement that takes over when you approach that probably looks like it is happening the entire parade for every float – at least for you – that’s all you see. Trust me – that isn’t the case.
Congrats again – to everyone and may the Class of 1986 live in infamy with the other great parade ensembles of years past. Read More
So when I announced in January that I would not be participating in the Raleigh St. Patrick’s Day Parade this year I didn’t anticipate the call I would get this week. I was asked to ride in the Parade in a Raleigh Rickshaw promoting Renaissance Park. No stress – no costume – just take a seat a go for a spin. It didn’t seem like a bad idea and we figured that if we found them we’d go and if we didn’t back to the original plan simply watching the parade.
The ride wasn’t a straightforward cruise through the parade (as you can see in the video) it was about 3-4 times the total distance doing loops and spins the entire way. It took a little getting used to but after the first couple of sets of circles it was fun. Probably not something I would volunteer to do again but a nice change of pace from the usual St. Patrick’s Day Parade shenanigans. Read More
I’m sure you probably thought I was done posting St. Patrick’s Day pictures – you were very wrong. Today I got Courtney’s pictures in the mail. That’s right – good old-fashioned paid for a stamp postal service mail. And – if you missed the Raleigh St. Patrick’s Day Parade and thought you had an idea from the pictures – trust me – you ain’t seen nothing yet.
First off – I have to remind you that Courtney is cooler than you and definitely more talented. Not only did she take all of these awesome pictures but she was our safe driver for the float and more importantly a frequent dancer along the parade route. Multitask? Meet understatement.
So enjoy the last batch of pictures until we uncover more – which as many of you know can happen a good bit later than we think. Of course there are always the pictures that don’t make the cut for one reason or another and those – those might make an appearance later too. You never really know.
Thanks again to Courtney and everyone that made the float possible this year.
P.S. – If you are looking for a good photographer check out Courtney at Crabtree Creek Productions. Dancing optional.
Gary,
Please tell everyone involved how AWESOME we think Tootsie Roll is for helping us out in the Raleigh St. Patrick’s parade.
Last year, TRI sent us 60 pounds. This year, they sent 90 pounds. A few newcomers brought extra candy, and we ended up with about 150 pounds to throw during the parade.
I’m not sure if you made it downtown for the parade, but the weather was beautiful and the crowd was enormous. The organizers were expecting 40,000 and I think the crowd was bigger than that. It’s the biggest we’ve seen in our 6 years. Several people told me that our float was the ONLY one still giving our candy at the end of the parade route.
The Green Apple candy was especially cool – everyone loved the green candy on St. Patrick’s Day!
Thank you again so much!!! The day was incredible, and Tootsie Roll was very generous to help us out! (If I were you, I’d expect yet another email from me next spring, as we prepare once again for a fun day!)
Thanks!
Bob Gaughran
nosvc.com
For seven years running we’ve participated in the Raleigh St. Patrick’s Day Parade under several names and themes and every year we know we are considered for several very prestigious awards. We sadly don’t win any of them.
We do however vote ourselves the “MOST FUN FLOAT” and while we are having a hard time locating the home office of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee to pick up our prize we imagine it would likely look something like this. (No – BobG didn’t finish another doughnut.)
So to everyone that participated this year we hope you join us in celebrating this grand award. For those of you that weren’t with us this year – don’t be jealous. (Not that you can help it.) For we are both the MOST FUN and now by our own estimation the MOST CELEBRATED float in the history of floating.
Who else has an empty fireplace mantle where seven – count them seven – MOST FUN FLOAT awards belong? Not you Parrotheads.
So until that slight mix-up is resolved and the trophies are on the fireplace mantle where they belong – please feel free to print this one and place it in appropriate locations.
So sitting here before 9AM on a Sunday morning after the parade I’ve had some time to think. First thought – when will the woodpecker inside by head quit drilling holes in my skull. Second thought – we’ve had a lot of good floats, themes, and designs over the years but this was easily the best we’ve done. I don’t think anyone either on the float of off it would disagree. In a word – we were awesome.
Quick run down – costumes – unreal. Everyone hit the ball out of the park. A few notables – Nick & Amy rocked it with the matching leisure suits and BobG actually walked the entire parade route in platform hills. With all regrets to previous drivers – Courtney set a new standard – driving and dancing. The bar was raised across the board. Allison – the first 1.5 rider in the history of the float (that we were aware of) – way to go DISCO Baby!
So with that I will leave you with the first round of pictures. These were from my camera taken by various folks along the way. I’m including a zip file of the full sized picture at the end of the post and will do so with all the ones you send me. These are as they say – “frame worthy.”
Dear People of Craig’s List – you have been invited.
Raleigh’s biggest, coolest, most funnest disco dance party is taking on a NEW twist – IRISH DISCO ! Come dance away St. Patrick’s Day with us in the parade! Find us in the parking lot where the parade starts (Lenoir and Wilmington Streets) Trust me- you won’t be able to miss us…. around 11am Saturday the 17th… wear your best disco threads, bring your disco spirit, and byob. Even better if you’re under 4 feet tall or have disco kids. No blue jeans allowed.
You know you wanna do it.
We’re working on @RaleighStPats concerning our trophy.
