People enjoy parades for different reasons. Some like the festive atmosphere and the opportunity to celebrate a particular holiday or event with others. Others appreciate the spectacle of the floats and performers, the creativity of the costumes, and the skill of the musicians and dancers. Some also enjoy community and togetherness by participating in or watching a parade.
Parades are often nostalgic because they evoke nostalgia by reminding people of past experiences, events, or traditions. They can be linked to childhood memories or other significant moments in a person's life.
As a child, I loved being a live spectator at my hometown of Natick's 4th of July Parade. It was a great community event celebrating our country's Independence. My family and neighbors on our cul-de-sac would walk up Main Street about a half mile to the starting point to enjoy the exciting, festive procession. I recognized how special this was to all be free and happy together. As a young boy, I got lost as a small spectator at Boston's St. Patrick's Day Parade. My father found me sitting on a stool at an ice cream parlor beside a kind police officer, happily enjoying a Sundae- much like Norman Rockwell's "Runaway," which was the 1958 Saturday Evening POST Magazine cover. My family often watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade while patiently waiting for the turkey to roast. I enjoyed the massive balloons and was excited to see Santa's appearance at the end of the parade to mark the start of the Christmas season. Moreover, New Year's Day was often a lazy, relaxed day watching the Tournament of Roses Parade with elaborate floats made entirely of flowers, marching bands, equestrian units, and other live performers. Since 1992, when I graduated from The Ohio State University, the Buckeyes played in five Rose Bowl games, winning all of them--go Bucks!
I grew up appreciating antique cars for their unique and intricate design elements, which were crafted with great attention to detail. My parents had a 1955 Chevy Bel Air and a 1965 Mustang Coupe. Those are collector cars. However, my mother drove a 1951 Buick Special. I liked the lines of that 51 Buick and found it "special." I would sit between my parents on the sizeable front bench seat car with my three siblings in the rear. I loved the shiny chrome instrument panel and would play with the different pulls and levers. It was an impressive machine, and this was the one I wanted someday.
Thirty years ago, I attended my first Nantucket Daffodil Parade. It was smaller back then but undoubtedly elegant and pleasant. The antique cars were decorated with real flowers. The gourmet picnic in Sconset was a civilized, glorious event with great food and wine. It represented the incredible sense of community of Nantucket. People who may not know each other can come together to share food and drinks, talk about anything and everything, and enjoy each other's company. I knew from that day I had to restore my mother's 1951 Buick Special so I could be in the parade.
In 2007, my Buick Special "Betty" was ready for her new debut. She was fully restored inside and out and glistened as she did. "Betty" evokes a sense of nostalgia and great sentimental value in me. From Flowers on Chestnut, Jack created beautiful arrangements for my four-door sedan. It was a fantastic day. It was a very different and emotional experience driving her in the parade. Betty was awarded 2nd place for the most authentic car. Since that year, Betty only missed two years as a participant and has been awarded eight ribbons. Daffodil has become my favorite day of the year. It brings back all those wonderful childhood memories. It honors my parents, who kept Betty all those years because I insisted as a young boy that I must have her when I was old enough to drive and had the money to restore her to her original beauty. I share this awesome experience with different friends each year by inviting them for the ride. The hands waving and clapping, sounds of horns honking, cars backfiring, smiles and laughter, crowds cheering you on, and the colorful array of daffodils all the way down the Milestone Road. It is great fun, a joy that I love to share.
Daffodils are among the first flowers to bloom in spring. Their appearance signals the end of winter and the beginning of spring. Daffodils are known for their bright yellow color, associated with happiness and warmth. Their cheerful appearance is welcome after the dull and dreary winter months.
Daffodils are often associated with rebirth and renewal, which are themes that are closely linked with spring. They also symbolize hope and optimism, which are values often associated with spring's arrival. I thank and credit Jean MacAusland for her brilliant idea in 1974 to beautify our island by planting one million bulbs starting on Milestone Road leading to Sconset and then adding the antique car parade in 1978.
The Nantucket Daffodil Parade continues to be the quintessential celebration of spring and a grand community reunion where everyone is welcome and participates in some way or fashion. It is a unique, enjoyable, memorable day of collective shared experiences for many people. Now in its 47th year, the parade is more popular, colorful, and lively, with new fun themes, festive music, dancing, and costumes, and draws large crowds of spectators. Cheers to the MacAuslands, my loving parents, my 51, number 47, the Nantucket Chamber of Commerce, and everyone who made this a memorable annual island tradition through the years. Happy Daffy!
