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They say everybody loves a parade.
If true, then everybody would especially love the annual Circle City Classic Parade.
This year’s musical theme (like the theme of Black Expo) was Michael Jackson. “Pretty Young Thing”—a jam even on a bad day—is even better when played by a full marching band and fronted by an MJ impersonator. You have not seen a “Thriller” line dance until you have seen it performed by about 60 young people carrying band instruments and batons and giant colorful flags. Almost every marching band from middle schoolers to college had an MJ homage.
And Gary Roosevelt High School was one of the main bands representing their hometown hero with a musical tribute.
As I have already said here, my kid got a chance to meet Olympic swimmer, Cullen Jones.
Our governor also came over and said a few words to her, patted the top of her Blues Clues cap, and told her to stay in school. She looked at him strangely (“Why wouldn’t I stay in school, Mommy?”) and asked me who that man was. I told her she had just spoken with the governor of our state. She was not impressed. I guess he is no Cullen Jones.
I must be old. I did not know that Master P and his son Romeo (I guess no longer lil) passed by until a group of young female fans started squeeling and begging to be put in the video they’d be filming at halftime of the game.
All the Black Greeks were in full force, wearing their colors proudly and stepping.
Wendy Williams rode by and was flattered when That One Section (the one who is so organized every year, with their chorus of personal hellos to the passing dignitaries) said in unison “How you doin!”
The Madam CJ Walker impersonator rode by waving a hot comb.
All the beauty queens in their princess gowns waved their beauty queen waves.
Overheard from a first timer from out of town, “I had no idea Indianapolis had this many Black folks.”
Overheard from every other child: “Mama/Nana/Daddy can I get a t-shirt/candy/hat?”
Everybody loves a parade. The firetruck from the Black Firefighters Association rode by, signaling the end of this one, at least for this year. The bands—the Tuskegee University Marching Crimson Piper Band and the Alabama A & M Marching Maroon and White—would meet each other again on the field of Lucas Oil Stadium at halftime for the famous “Battle of the Bands.”
Oh yes. There was also a football game on either side of the halftime show.
See you downtown next year!
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