Gubernatorial Parade Follow Up
All I can say from a non politico type person’s point of view: How the government gets anything done is beyond me.
Here is how this went down. When we told about the parade, we were told we’d receive a follow up document with instructions and times. Let’s just say the document was lengthy. Where to meet, where to form up, where to meet our National Guard escort, rules, blah blah blah rules. Things got off to a rough start when the local police officer in charge of stopping and allowing people to stage wouldn’t let any passenger vehicles down Franklin street to the staging area. (even though the previously mentioned manual said we’d be let down there to park and form up) If it were not for a certain piper in our ranks who has connections we’d have had to walk at least a mile just to form up and an additional mile after the parade. After said piper made two calls the Governor elect himself found out about the situation and things remarkable cleared up for us. At this point we were all ready to vote Brad as honorary Pipe Major for the day. Things got better from here but there were still some glitches here and there such as not accounting for all the room needed to line up, not putting all the horses behind the other marching units. The horse unit in front of us had issues with the flags from the high school band and with the loudness of the pipes, not to mention the one horse who had um… bowel issues the entire parade. (and I thought my spats were bad after the Richmond games.)
The stop start pace of the parade was a little irksome as well. We didn’t really march proper until we entered the gates of the Capital. Prior to that they held us a while because Thomas Jefferson was supposed to speak and then once we started again they were giving us the hurry up sign. (I’m sorry but we only have one speed) The parade route it’s self was short enough and we were wondering where the people were as really only the two blocks prior to the mansion were crowded. That question was answered as soon as we turned the corner to the back side of the capital. The risers and the people there were something to see. Don’t know if was the fact that there was a pause in the parade while Mr. Jefferson spoke or the band in general but man that was a loud reception we received upon arriving at the back to parade in front of the Governor. Once through back around the capital and a left turn the parade was basically over with the exception of getting back to our cars. Luckily for us we parked right next to Penny Lane Pub where we inevitably fell out to for a pint.
Something that never amazes me is the reaction we get from people. I do know that we do this because it’s something we love to do and we like to give back to the community, but how grateful folks are and the enthusiasm we are greeted with is beyond compare. Someone could get a big head with all the nice comments. (Either that or Celts are just a loud bunch) You can go to the Governor’s page to see photos of us. (Don’t ask Geoff what happened. Let’s just say the Flux Capacitor has been invented) Hopefully we’ll have some more photos up on our site soon and possibly some video. Figures I chose the wrong station to record. Channel 12 cut off but Channel 23 showed the whole thing and we apparently looked rather sharp from comments we have been receiving.
Lastly we’d like to thank Governor McDonnell for having us and wish him the best for his upcoming term. It’s not often you can say you were invited to march in an inauguration parade. This was the first parade held in the capital city in four years as the previous governor held his ceremony in Williamsburg. We’d also like to thanks those that have supported us and helped us get where we are. Hopefully this is the start of a great year for SALPD. We have big news coming, more events and new pipers stepping up. We hope we’ll see you at our next event in Virginia Beach the Polar Plunge. Don’t forget that St. Patrick’s Day is around the corner as well as the Richmond Irish Festival.
