WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2007

photo submitted by Dave

WACKY PACHY PARADE!

Last night was the Annual Elephant Parade, signaling that Ringling Bros./Barnum & Bailey Circus was in town. This parade traditionally takes place a week or so after St. Patrick's Day and is yet another rite of spring, usually met with enthusiasm and a bit of debauchery; This year's parade was no exception.

Folks began arriving as early as 7pm to get their pre-game drinking in before the scheduled 11:30 pm arrival of the elephants. There were lots of suits, plenty of tourists, and even an "official elephant parade draft beer party" hosted by BABY GIRL. These guys really take their elephants seriously...






Now please note: The elephants were SCHEDULED to arrive at around 11:30pm. Now I've seen more than my share of these parades in the past and the one thing I've learned over the years and that the elephants NEVER arrive on time. I've frozen my carcass off waiting outside with fellow revelers in sub-zero temps at 11:30, only to see the big grunts waddle by a hour or so later. So what made me think that this year would be any different, simply because the weather was nice?

Of course, when the it became apparent that the elephants were late (yet again), everyone began to berate me for their tardiness. Are you kidding me? Do I look like I work for Ringling Bros? Am I on constant phone contact with Bello, the Ringmaster? Uh, no. But of course, someone's gotta take the heat, right?

Eventually the elephants finally arrived and of course, all hell broke loose. First the fans were cheering for their favorite elephants as they emerged from the tunnel- then the MAD DASH up 35th street. Reminded me of the Running of the Bulls. Simply hilarious.



photos submitted by REDSKINS CHICK

I tell ya, you can't make this stuff up.

In the meantime, throughout the night, there were a lot of interesting personalities that entered the bar; Some cool, others, well.... You get the point.


"Patron of the Night"...



BABY GIRL and REDSKINS CHICK, after about GAZILLION beers....

All told, while it was a L-O-N-G day (my day at the bar actually began at around 7am), it was indeed a great time for all. As much as I gripe about the whole parade experience, I always look forward to next year. Call me crazy.

GIRLS NIGHT OUT ($2.00 Mixed Well Drinks for all ladies, $4.00 Amstel Light, Coors Light and Blue Moon Ale for everyone)!


nuff said