This past Monday was Labor Day and the Mardi Gras parade! And what a parade it was!
There were more people than ever out on the curbs to wave and enjoy. There were at least 20 sets of colorful floats, marchers and trucks. There was much music, imagination and fun on display.
Everybody had a great time, both on the floats and off. At least one writer/photographer was seen dancing with a woman who popped off the “Broad Channel Tabernacle Choir” float. (Okay, it was me.) This year’s floats were pretty clever. A few included actual boats. On such a hot and humid day, no doubt a few of those went straight back in the water afterwards. Hopefully, they took the kids off first.Thumbs up to the BCVFD organizers, as the line of march surprisingly stepped off at just about 1 p.m. The parade started off at this year’s winning pub, Ruffle Bar, and headed south along the west side of town. At Grassy’s they turned and made their way up the east side.
More about the parade next column. In the meantime, here are the winners! A Prince-Wynn Colonials drumroll please!
Most Original Adult parade entry: No. 1- One Directioners and No. 2- The Goldfeder Steamroller! Funniest Adult entry: No. 1- Rocco’s vs. Tommy’s Pizza Battle; No. 2-Frozen.
For Most Original Baby and Youth it was No. 1- The BC Tabernacle Choir; No. 2- Kids of Anarchy and No. 3- Happy. Funniest Baby and Youth? That was No. 1- FlukeNado, No. 2- Wicked Channel and No. 3- Electric Zoo. And Prettiest was No. 1- BC Babes of Beauty, No. 2- Rock Lobster and No. 3- Disney Dating Game.
Winner for 2014 Best Overall Appearance was Yogi Bear’s Broad Channel Jelly Stone Campers!
BC Bits would like to note a few special mentions. One would be all the big, loud Vollies’ engines and trucks. The kids (of all ages) loved them. We also have the best music of any volunteer fire department, alternately belting out the Isley Brother’s “Shout” and Wagner’s “Ride of the Valkyrie” over the PA with ease. They have been known to throw in a rocking Beatles’ “Twist and Shout” rendition, too.
A big high five to all the drivers of all the float vehicles, cars and trucks. They get an occasional wave and a smile, but otherwise steadfastly keep things rolling along.
Let’s not forget those perennial pirates and the War Wagon float. Whether they actually get into the parade or not, they are always there, adding their own touch of zaniness to the proceedings! Thanks guys.
There’s a big thumbs up for all the moms and dads who came up with the ideas, built the floats and got the kids to get into all kinds of costumes. Thanks, kids, for humoring mom and dad and going along with it. You looked great!
And of course, a special mention goes to all the pullers at the parade. That is, the parents, mostly moms, who carted along the very little kids in decorated wagons, strollers and plastic pull-alongs. They cheerfully and smilingly rolled the kids all the way through. There were quite a few babies at Mardi Gras; some were so comfortable with the ride they fell asleep!
After the parade the Broad Channel air was filled with the sounds of parties, music and barbecues. Seemed like there was a happy, cheerful mood all over the island that day. It was great.
Thanks to my neighbor, Pete Keane (who had a live band on the back deck!) and friend, Steve Hawk, for their kind invitations.
All Mardi Gras proceeds go to the BC Vollies. Of course, you can donate to them all year round. They’ve still got a new firehouse to build and operations to run.
Hard to believe, but there are indeed other things going on in the Channel.
Broad Channel Scout Troop 282 starts meeting again on Monday, Sept 15, at 6:30 p.m. The Cub Scouts will meet at the American Legion Hall at 209 Cross Bay Boulevard. Need more details? Please call Joe Panetta at 917-238-1507 or Fred Ciappetta 718-877-3467. The Boy Scouts will meet at the Shad Creek Association at 529 Cross Bay Boulevard. Call Fred Ciappetta at 718-877-3467 or Jon Paul Rasinya 718-440-0565 for more information. There is open registration every Monday.
News From The North: There is a new Key Food opening just over the bridge in Howard Beach, giving people in the Channel more shopping options. The supermarket took over the site where the underused Duane Reade used to be. The grand opening is set for Friday, Sept 5.
Also under construction is a new urgent care center, just over the bridge where the tile place used to be. These are all important things for Broad Channelers to have within easy reach.
Out this way, summer doesn’t necessarily end when everybody else says it’s supposed to. Over the other bridge there will be a special treat for kids. The NYC Parks Department will have a special showing of Frozen on Saturday, Sept 13, at the Beach 108th Street Hockey Rink. The show starts around 8 p.m., at sunset.
The St Camillus-St Virgilius CYO Boys Swim Team registration will be Saturday, Sept 13 and Sept 19, at 4 p.m. at the Far Rockaway High School pool. The cost is $175 per child. Please be sure to wear a swimsuit – there will be practice! (This applies to your child, not you.) Call 917-435-9094 for more details.
St. Virgilius Senior Citizens Club meets at the BC Legion Hall on Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. and the St. Camillus Golden Age Club will be Wednesday, Sept. 10 at 12:30 p.m. in Springman Hall in Rockaway.
Finally, the AP reports that Build It Back has exceeded their Sandy housing recovery goals reimbursed 500 homeowners and started construction on 500 homes by Labor Day. There will be more to say on that. But in all fairness, I have seen more activity in the Channel, some of it labeled BIB. It’s a good sign, finally.
For the rest…we’ll see.
Thanks for reading!
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