Dress Rehearsal

Although Savannah's St. Patrick's Day parade is always a blast, the Remlers have come to enjoy just as much the dress rehearsal:  Tybee's St. Patrick's Day parade, which always occurs on the Saturday prior to March 17th. Today we loaded up our cars and drove down to 10th Court to join JoJo and Pop Pop on the sidewalk of Butler Avenue.

At first, we worried the northeaster would blow us indoors in spite of the beautiful blue sky. But once we settled into our seats in the sunshine, we warmed right up. Even better, the breeze blew the gnats away.

For several reasons, Tybee's parade is a joy:

• It's an hour long, which is a nice difference from the Savannah parade's three to four-hour long show. 
  
  
  
• The crowd is much smaller. And although it grows each year, it's still small enough that we can show up about an hour ahead of time and know we'll have prime viewing spots right at the top of the lane.
  
  
  
  
• Also because of the small crowd, we're still allowed to run into the street and shake the parade participants' hands. And those marching in the parade can still throw candy and beads to the children (young and old).
  
  
  
  
• Every now and then we get invited to a wedding party.
  
  
  
  
• Every now and then we get to hug a pig.
  
  
  
  
• Every now and then, we get to jump into Matt Daniel's pedi-cab and ride along with him. And every now and then, Matt dresses up like Evel Kenevil.
  
  
  
  

Who doesn't love a parade? What's more, who doesn't love a parade starring the Beach Chair Brigade?

To me, even the Macy's balloons on Thanksgiving pale in comparison to Tybee's coastal hometown fun. And it gives us a chance to warm up our parade going skills prior to the Big Green Day!