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crowd at Richmond silly parade

Richmond united in Silly Parade

on April 4, 2011

More than 100 people gathered on Saturday at the corner of 23rd and Macdonald Avenues in downtown Richmond to make the 5th Annual Silly Parade a big success.

“I love it here!” shouted Janie Anker, who was decked in lush purple. “There are so many serious things going on in Richmond and people have to have fun, have to laugh.”

Along many other Richmond citizens, she joined the 5th Annual Silly Parade on Saturday, which, to be precise, was actually taking place for only the second time. The idea behind the event was to create one parade for all of the city’s communities, bringing everyone together and giving people a break from serious matters and problems they deal with every day. “It’s all about having fun,” said Michael Beer, the event’s main organizer.

Indeed, Richmond citizens seemed happy to act “legally” silly during this one day. Some of them dressed as chickens, others put on the Halloween costumes.

A big group of women enjoyed wearing mustaches.

“It frees me, it frees my inner mustache self,” said Andrea, the group’s leader, who preferred to go only by her first name. “If the world accepted female mustaches more often there would be more smiles, and we would all just be happier.”

Among other individuals marching in the parade: a huge Socrates promoting education, musicians from La Rondalla del Sagrado Corazon which played traditional Spanish serenades and members of the Guardian Angels, an organization that helps communities prevent violence.

Sometimes however it took a while to understand the idea behind the costume.

“I’m all that and the bag of chips,” said Jolynn Parker, who was throwing potato chips into the crowd.

Around noon, the colorful parade reached the corner of 23rd and Nevin Avenues, where participants could enjoy lunch and chat with their silly-looking friends and neighbors.

Michael Beer, who was wearing a colorful wig, said the event was a big success.

“It was bigger this year,” he said. “Everybody worked hard preparing it, and I very much appreciate it, and people who watched that appreciated it. When we put it up on YouTube, maybe Poland will appreciate it, or Denmark, or even Berkeley!”

4 Comments

  1. Richmond Voter on April 4, 2011 at 3:45 pm

    sadly i had to miss it this year because i had to go out of town . I did see them setting up for it when i was heading towards the freeway on Macdonald ave . they should make it a little later next year like Maybe at 12:00 noon or at least at 11:30am to get more people to come . but i’m glad there doing more positive events in Richmond .



    • Robert Rogers on April 5, 2011 at 1:54 pm

      Thanks for reading and responding. It was a silly – and great – day in Richmond!



  2. Justine tenZeldam on April 4, 2011 at 10:46 pm

    We had such a great time. Everyone who participated was such fun. Looking forward to next year. Thanks for the wonderful photos of us on our bikes, too, Richmond Confidential!
    Justine & Slimm Buick
    Bicycle Art Salon
    Richmond, CA



    • Robert Rogers on April 5, 2011 at 1:54 pm

      Thanks for reading and responding. It was our pleasure to be able to come out and cover this local event!



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