What a great Mardi Gras weekend in Broad Channel last week!
Thanks to the hardworking folks at the Broad Channel Athletic Club (BCAC), it was a great summer filled with all kinds of fundraising activities. Everyone did a fantastic job generating a lot of fun for a good community cause this year, the BCAC.
And to quote a post from the BCAC, it was a “great end to a wonderful summer!! A huge thank you to Babyface Johnny and Mia. They did an outstanding job raising over $10,000!! Amazing!! Thanks to everyone else who supported us throughout the summer. Hope you all had as much fun as we did!! There really is nowhere in the world like this town!!”
I am awaiting the final fundraising totals and will share them as soon as they’re in. As far as the parade goes, I can say it was a great success. There was a grand turn out and most blocks were filled with spectators. And as usual in Broad Channel, the crowd and the people in the parade were often interchangeable. People ran back and forth, greeted friends and family, waved, shook hands and exchanged hugs.
There were about a dozen floats, many walking contingents, local politicians and lots of loud Broad Channel Volies’ fire engines. Everything was colorful, with lots of clever themes and music. Little Johnny and Mia sat atop a great “Pebbles and Bam-Bam” float and really seemed to be enjoying themselves. Dozens of junior costumed crimefighters came along on the “Are Your Smarter Than A Superhero?” and the Family Feud-style “Superhero Survey.” MC’s went out into the crowd to ask questions like, “Who is Batman’s sidekick?”
Other standouts include “Green Is The New Orange,” “Channel Channel Land” (‘Where we never grow up!’), “Dr. Seuss’s Oh The Places You’ll Go,” “Call of Doody,” and the musical-themed “Welcome To Parrotdise.” There was a terrific “BC’s Walking Dead” float packed with kids. All along it were tombstones denoting the Channel’s recently and not so recently departed. Among the RIP-pers were Noonan’s Inn, Weiss’ Restaurant, Kroog’s, The Milk Farm, O’Macs and Crossbay Video. Let’s not forget “The Nerds” and “The Future Times Square Characters”! Kids, you did great! BC parents and helpers, take the week off!
I also loved the “Failed Super Heroes” squad! In fact, hats off to the many grownups who work hard every year to make the parts of this parade happen, drive, push and even get up there and have fun, too.
Walking around town on Sunday I met a lot of people and at least half a dozen floats under construction, even in the high heat.
One novel way to keep cool during the parade, which enjoyed sunny skies, was to dress up as beer bottles and climb into a gigantic Igloo cooler float! Here’s to all you big rowdy best Bud’s (and Coors and Coronas, etc.) out there! It’s true. “Life Is Cooler In Broad Channel.”
A special Mardi Gras nod to my friend, Denis Macrae, who peddled all the way through the parade. Also Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder and his team brought along a homemade airplane float, which his daughter, Eliana, expertly piloted, and Councilman Eric Ulrich brought along his daughter, Lily.
Leading off the parade were our American Legion vets and rounding it off was our own rolling and marching BCVFD.
Note: My favorite BCVFD engine added Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire” and also Psy’s “Gangnam Style” to the mix of “Shout” and “Twist and Shout.” Thanks, Ed Wilmarth! If there’s anybody I’ve left out, please let me know!
This year the parade started off near the corner of All-American Channel Market at West 10th Road, came down Cross Bay to 20th Road and then swung around and proceeded all the way to the BCAC Field. The party at the field was great, with cold beverages and grilled hot dogs and burgers, a bounce, big slide and a mechanical ride.
Likewise all over the Channel people enjoyed post-parade barbecues and parties with neighbors and visitors. I personally would like to thank the BCAC, the Macrae’s, Hawk’s and the Keane’s for great company, good food, fun and their kind hospitality.
One high point among many was an impromptu music session with Steve Hawk, Dan Maher, Matthew Lyons, Frank Porretto and George Christ. Wherever you happened to be in the Channel this Mardi Gras weekend, I know you enjoyed yourself.
So what else is coming up? Well, you are certainly all invited to a free concert at the Rockaway Artists Alliance’s T-7 Gallery at Fort Tilden this Saturday, Sept.12, at 4:30 p.m. The Quintet of the Americas will be joining with special guest mbira player Chartwell Dutiro and harpist Susan Jolles. Come and enjoy.
The next meeting of the 100th Precinct Community Council is on Monday, Sept. 21, at 7:30 p.m. at theKnights of Columbus Hall at 333 Beach 90th St. in Rockaway. Especially given some recent crime concerns, this is the best place to make sure Broad Channel voices are heard.
The VFW is holding a Flea Market. Look out for it on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 26 and 27 from 10 to 4. There will be clothing, Disney items, beauty items, handcrafted wares and plenty more. The VFW is located at 713 Shad Creek Road, just off Cross Bay.
You may have also noticed something new and different about the VFW Hall. No, it’s not a new hat. It is a bright new coat of paint. After decades of the darker wood look, going back to its origins as the Broad Channel Democratic Club, it’s gone for a new lighter look. Nice.
Be ready on Sunday, Sept. 27, to catch the super moon and full lunar eclipse starting at 8:11 p.m. and going to 1:22 a.m. the next morning.
Finally, on September 11, 2015, I am reminded again how strong we are when we stand together, rather than when we stand arm’s length apart and pointing fingers.
Got BC news? Send it to workingstories@aol.com.
Thanks for reading!
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