It's Fleet Week in Portland, and thhe first ships have arrived to tie up at the seawall. So far it's the USCG, looks like a couple of cutters and a bouytender. Also allong the waterfront is a WWII PT Boat in the late stages of restoration, which I think is pretty cool.
Of course we are suffering from "Rose Festival Effect" weather, meaning wet and drizzely, with the Rose Festival Fun Center (patrons motto; "Double wide trailers-Mile high dreams") turned into a smelly, muddy muck-fest. Who cares? It's still festival time!
Thos of us who have been here for a long time probably see it a little differently. When I was a kid, the festival meant three things;
1) The Americana Parade
This was one of those great things that was eliminated because everybody is afraid of lawsuits. The Americana Parade was an out and out blast, essentially a two mile long moving water fight. I remember the Gateway Keystone Kops used to have a water cannon mounted on their "Paddywagon". It was like Seaworld, "folks, if you sit in the splash zone, you will get wet. Very wet". Now we have The Starlight Parade. Nice, but a shadow of the revelry that was the beloved Americana Parade.
2) The Navy Ships
Even during Vietnam sailors were always welcomed in this town. I remember touring the ships with my Dad every year. What a great experience. Portland to this day has a fantastic reputation throughout the Pacific Fleet is a great Liberty town.
3) The Grand Floral Parade
The big one. When some celebrity who would not otherwise be caught dead in Portland would come to town to be The Grand Marshall. I remember one year it was none other than Donny Osmond, right at the height of his "Puppy Love" fame.
See you at the parade on Saturday! Bring an umbrella and a blanket!
(You gotta be tough to live out west...)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment