# Do You Like Parades? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 22, 2009, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-parades/518484 "2009-11-22T01:22:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2009, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-parades/518484/21 "2009-11-23T13:25:21Z")
I would be interested in a parade of nude beauty pageant entrants. There are a couple of actual parade groups I’d like to see. [Synchronized Briefcase Drill Teams](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dooh-Dah,_1979.jpg) – I think a similar group has performed on occasion in DC, but I can’t find reference to them. Also the [Lawn Rangers](http://www.herald-review.com/news/state-and-regional/article_d909d3a4-3455-5a49-8a05-76c21bc6f133.html), a synchronized lawn mower drill team. But in general, I despise parades with every fiber of my being. My perennial hate list is always topped by Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Parades, … ---
**Author:** ![Jolly\_Roger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/91b2a8/32.png) [@Jolly\_Roger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jolly_Roger)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2009, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-parades/518484/22 "2009-11-23T13:31:46Z")
I only watch the T-Day parade to see what floats they have. I’ve really kinda missed it for the last few years, but honestly I just wonder if they still use the Bullwinkle/ Underdog balloons. After all, do kids nowadays even know who they are? ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2009, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-parades/518484/23 "2009-11-23T15:05:28Z")
> [@Jolly\_Roger](#): > > I just wonder if they still use the Bullwinkle/ Underdog balloons. After all, do kids nowadays even know who they are? Both had movies within the past decade. ---
**Author:** ![Umbriel2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/4af34b/32.png) [@Umbriel2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Umbriel2)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2009, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-parades/518484/24 "2009-11-23T16:27:16Z")
Depends on their content. If it’s just a bunch of bands and the odd emergency vehicle, I can do with out it. A good variety of bands, floats, military vehicles, balloons, and I’ll be there. But even being a Philadelphian, I have little use for the Mummers. Maybe a half hour or so of the Comics or Fancies, but it goes on _wayyyyy_ too long. ---
**Author:** ![Jolly\_Roger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/91b2a8/32.png) [@Jolly\_Roger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jolly_Roger)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2009, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-parades/518484/25 "2009-11-23T16:37:14Z")
> [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > Both had movies within the past decade. I haven’t seen Bullwinkle and Rocky the movie, but the Underdog movie was nothing like the cartoon. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2009, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-parades/518484/26 "2009-11-23T17:18:24Z")
These small-town parades of politicians, used-car dealers, Rotary club floats, etc. leave me feeling rather meh. But well-done, high-production-value parades like Mardi Gras krewes or Walt Disney World parades = awesome (if you’re there; on TV = meh). ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2009, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-parades/518484/27 "2009-11-23T17:31:12Z")
Hate is way too strong a word for me almost all the time. They bore the piss out of me and always did, even as a kid. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2009, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-parades/518484/28 "2009-11-23T17:48:28Z")
They’re OK, I guess. The best and worst situation we had was when we lived right on a parade thoroughfare, second floor. Best was that we could literally lie in bed and watch the parade naked. Worst was we’d get woken up by it and literally could not drive anywhere while it was going on. Some are fun i guess. > [@NinetyWt](#): > > For those who dislike parades: Have you ever been to a Mardi Gras parade? As a woman you couldn’t catch me anywhere near the Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans. A bunch of idiotic drunks roaming around looking for trouble. Just what I need. ---
**Author:** ![whiterabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/cab0a1/32.png) [@whiterabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whiterabbit)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2009, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-parades/518484/29 "2009-11-23T20:25:14Z")
Since living in Louisiana any parade that doesn’t involve people throwing stuff at me is _b-o-r-i-n-g_. And **Anaamika** , if you aren’t in the Quarter then Mardi Gras suddenly turns into a family sort of thing. Seriously, where I lived just across the river, several major parades went by on the main street a block from the house. Tons of families, kids, nothing like what you’re thinking. Honest. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2009, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-parades/518484/30 "2009-11-23T21:12:24Z")
> [@whiterabbit](#): > > Since living in Louisiana any parade that doesn’t involve people throwing stuff at me is _b-o-r-i-n-g_. > > And **Anaamika** , if you aren’t in the Quarter then Mardi Gras suddenly turns into a family sort of thing. Seriously, where I lived just across the river, several major parades went by on the main street a block from the house. Tons of families, kids, nothing like what you’re thinking. Honest. These two statements do not go together, but perhaps I will reconsider my stance. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![maladroit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f475e1/32.png) [@maladroit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maladroit)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2009, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-parades/518484/31 "2009-11-23T21:13:55Z")
I love live marching bands. Parades on tv, no thanks. ---
**Author:** ![whiterabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/cab0a1/32.png) [@whiterabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whiterabbit)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2009, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-parades/518484/32 "2009-11-23T23:57:22Z")
I know, I know, but I swear, it’s true. I have a couple of large bags of beads and nary a flash did I have to do to get them. And parades without them are boring as hell now. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2009, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-parades/518484/33 "2009-11-24T01:01:05Z")
> [@Jolly\_Roger](#): > > the Underdog movie was nothing like the cartoon. Probably not but I’d say the [character](http://www.collider.com/uploads/imageGallery/Underdog/underdog_movie_image.jpg) is [recognizable](http://www.joblo.com/newsimages1/underdog.gif). Who else flies around in a blue cape, red tights, with a big white “U” on his chest? ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Il\_Palazzo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Lord\_Il\_Palazzo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Il_Palazzo)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2009, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-parades/518484/34 "2009-11-24T01:09:50Z")
I’m generally indifferent to parades unless my younger brother’s marching band is involved or the parade is between me and wherever I’m going. Parades on TV? No thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Hi\_Medlo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a183cd/32.png) [@Hi\_Medlo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hi_Medlo)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2009, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-parades/518484/35 "2009-11-24T13:22:50Z")
I used to love the Macy’s parade on Thanksgiving but have pretty much given up on it because of the production numbers. Are they even on the parade route, or are they on a side street while the parade continutes off camera? ---
**Author:** ![filling\_pages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b9bd4f/32.png) [@filling\_pages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filling_pages)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2009, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-parades/518484/36 "2009-11-24T22:02:57Z")
I love parades. Love 'em. I love the big noises and the flashy brass and the prom queens riding in borrowed convertibles. I love the Shriners in their tiny cars and the crappy floats put together by local businesses. I love seeing a bunch of folks I live near but would never come into contact with, all lining the streets to enjoy the day. I actually live right on the route of the two large community parades my town throws every year. One’s at night in winter and one’s at 10 am in the spring. My “yard” is just a small grassy area with a 6 foot rock wall drop to the sidewalk, so it is literally the ideal place to watch parades. I throw fat parties during them. There is nothing to beat drinking beer and catching beads and cheering on the grade school flag bearers from one’s own yard with a couple dozen friends. ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2009, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-parades/518484/37 "2009-11-25T13:02:13Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > I also don’t like watching sports. I’m curious if there may be some correlation there. I don’t think so. I find watching sports to be boring, but I do enjoy parades (in person). ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2009, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-parades/518484/38 "2009-11-25T13:31:23Z")
After having been in umpteen Pride parades over the years, I can honestly say that it’s a whole lot more fun being in a parade than watching one. ---
**Author:** ![Rysdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7cd45c/32.png) [@Rysdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysdad)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2009, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-parades/518484/39 "2009-11-25T20:30:31Z")
Parades just impede normal traffic flow. Get outta my way. Hate 'em. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-parades/518484.md?page=1)