The Winsted Gator Parade - 2021
Hey Hive friend.
What's cracking on this December 21st?
Last night I attended a new event for me, but for the town, an event that has been going since 2004. This is the Winsted Gator Parade.
The Gator Parade happens once a year around Christmas. Firetrucks from the surrounding towns get all adorned with lights and holiday stuff. Then they turn on all their lights, and drive around blaring the horns at 110 dB at 8 pm.
The history of this parade started when a local firefighter decided to do something fun and festive, however the same year after the first parade they died of a heart attack. I can see the ongoing parade being a way to memorialize and pay tribute to that awesome individual.
This was the first year I watched this event.
My little sister invited me to join her for a mutuil friends birthday party at a place called the Gilson Cafe & Cinema here in Winsted CT.
Location
- Gilson Cafe & Cinema
- 354 Main St, Winsted, CT 06098
- On google maps : https://goo.gl/maps/DAkXPefDwTCFu8Sf9
Sitting upstairs on the second floor of this theater you had a commanding view of the main street down below. I had been in this theater only once to watch a movie when I was a kid, and this was my second time back.
The holiday festivities and the party amongst friends was going strong inside. the space was renovated about 10 years ago and made into a jazz café, as the owner told me. However most of the guests were from New York and out of town, the police set up a lot of spot checks outside the city knowing that people would be leaving this place, as such they discontinue the jazz evening because their guests decided not to come anymore because of that.
I understand both sides of this argument, but is a bit sad to know that some culture such as jazz is now not available to the good citizens of this town.
one of the ladies at the party, had a son who was on the fire truck for the parade. She shouted and said it's time to go outside, so we went outside into the freezing rain to watch the fire trucks rolled by.
At this point dear readers, I have to apologize for the quality of the photos you will see. The blaring horns and dark night made it difficult for me to capture clean photos, however I still wanted to share this experience with you all.
As the firetrucks started to roll down the street from a ways away, their blaring horns and sirens could be heard echoing over the hills. The lights coming down the street provided a strange disaster like feeling surrounded with holiday cheer.
The police car rolled by first notifying the street to watch out (* as if people needed a notification given the many sirens and lights flashing, I think you might have to be highly moronic to have missed this and ran your car into it... But hey I understand).
a lot of partygoers were standing on the street waving. I was told they used to throw handfuls of candy, until a young fireman tossed a handful of candy at a child, and hit them in the face knocking them out cold. After this they have discontinued the use of candy.
How much that would suck? standing outside watching the parade and then a candy smacks you in the face, next thing you're waking up in the hospital with a concussion. Life... its wild.
The Winsted Firetruck representing on the street!
this particular truck had the inflatable snowman on top. I'm not a fan of these inflatable ornaments... They seem like such a copout.
Here is a nauseating photo of another fire truck. I would be doing you a disservice if iIdidn't once again highlight this shere volume of these trucks. My ears were ringing for a good 30 minutes after this..
Back inside and upstairs the party started again, we drank and had some fun into the evening.
There is even this super awesome birthday cake that came out. hmmmm cake...
If you like to learn more about thisnearly parade you can read article right here.
As always filled with gratitude and thanks for you joining me today, I hope your time is spent well and see you back here tomorrow.
Cheers
| Travel Photos: | @RoamingSparrow |
| Photo Repository: | Roamingsparrow.SmugMug.com |
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