Of course it was the right decision to call a halt to the Children’s Gasparilla Parade. Lightning, aluminum stands and crowded floats could have been the perfect storm of tragedy. And, of course, it was sad – for those thousands of disappointed children and their families.
It was especially sad because the Children’s Parade is no longer just a cute spin-off, a wholesome sop to the sober. It’s also very big – entailing more than 100 krewes and 150 floats – and including continuous shuttle routes, a Bicycle Safety Rodeo, a Preschooler’s Stroll, two Air Invasions and a fireworks show.
And it was sad because the Children’s Parade is the real celebration. The one that doesn’t require a “Safe House.” The one that doesn’t feature ad hoc port-o-lets. The one that doesn’t deify litter.
It’s the one that is about kids WITH their parents, not intoxicated, rite-of-passage teens on the lam from parental oversight. What a concept.