INTRODUCTION
As you probably remember I’ve joined a yearlong monthly event called We Are The World Blogfest. Today’s post will be my twelfth and last contribution to this event.
The purpose of this event is to highlight positive news stories, presenting them on your blog on the last Friday of the month.
This almost being the last Friday of March [a month when the last Friday is a Christian holiday] and with the “please post when you can” blessing of the WATWBPTB, I have a short news story to share with you, my gentle readers.
THE NEWS STORY
Last year Dnald (Don) Levy decided that what New Orleans needed was another parade, one specifically dedicated to April 1st.
Following his muse he named this parade Krewe du Fool April Fool’s Day parade, and along with 25 other people he made the parade happen on April Fool’s Day.
This year the Krewe du Fool April Fool’s Day parade will be on this coming Sunday which also happens to be Easter Sunday. The theme of the parade will be “Fool’s Gold” and the marchers will distribute golden eggs.
Follow the link above should you like to join in the parade or cheer them on from the curb.
MY COMMENTARY
What’s not to love here?
New Orleans is known for its parades, so another one, dedicated specifically to a silly holiday, fits right into the vibe of the city.
And then to think that one man, for the heck of it, made this parade happen, tickles me to no end.
We’re living in serious times when seemingly insurmountable problems dominate the world news, so from my point of view anyone, or anything, that can add a bit of harmless joy to our lives is the epitome of positive.
And kids, we need more positive.
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Absolutely! Laissez les bons temps rouler with de Krewe du Fool April Fool’s Day parade!!
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Zen-Den, I agree. Oui! [And now I’ve almost exhausted my entire knowledge of French words and sayings. N’est-ce pas?] 😃
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Mais, oui!
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[Mais means…?]
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Mais = But
Mais, oui = But, of course!
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Ah-ha! I get it. Thanks for explaining. I know very little French. Obviously.
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There’s always “Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir,” my Lady Marmalade.
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Z-D, you would know that French phrase, now wouldn’t you? 🙄
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❤️
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Thank you.
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I agree A-Bean!
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Thanks, Jill. As my last contribution to the blogfest, this parade seemed perfect.
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An Easter parade! I love it! I wonder how many women will show up with bonnets? 😉
Thanks for participating in #WATWB, Ally. The blogfest is not ending this month. We’ve decided to carry on for another year, so feel free to participate when you are able.
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Mary, I’d forgotten about the Easter bonnet song! Oh I hope some women do have on bonnets. How fun would that be?
I saw that the blogfest had been extended. That’s cool. It certainly confirms that this idea has been a success. It’s been good to be part of this, so I’ll keep it in mind as something to toss into my blog when the perfect positive article presents itself to me.
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I love the idea of a parade. I was at a conference in New Orleans two years ago and we went from our hotel to the outside venue for the conference party in a parade! Anyone can have one in NOLA and I think that’s such a cool thing. 600 geeks like me, a few clowns, jugglers, a marching band and a police escort. More cities need to do this.
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Dan, how fun for you! What a cool thing to do at a conference. I’d love to be in a parade in NOLA. We went to Mardi Gras once, and the parades were so entertaining– heck, the whole place was entertaining. I agree that more cities need to catch the New Orleans parade vibe. That would add some positivity to our country!
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Any group can go to the Police station and register to have a parade, Apparently, they have someone on duty to handle the requests.
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No kidding! No wonder NOLA is known for its parades if it’s that easy to get one going. I’m liking this place more and more.
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Hi, Ally – Thank you for introducing me to ‘We Are the World Blogfest’. I’ve been using local news from our small island town for my posts — which has taught me much about my own community! I’m sad to hear that this is your final #WATWB post. You’ll be missed here!
Love the parade!!
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Donna, it’s been fun to commit to doing this project for a year. I’ve learned to intentionally look for positive news– which has taught me a lot about how I used to read the news. I’ve enjoyed learning about your community, so your approach to #WATWB is great. Carry on, my dear!
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Everyone loves a parade. Add in an April Fool’s theme and it has the ingredients for success!
I agree Ally that we need more fun, even silly, things to focus on.
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Joanne, this parade sounds like a hoot to me. And considering where it’s going to be, you know it’ll be a success. It may be silly, but we need something to counterbalance all the bad news that is foisted on us every. stinking. day.
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We’re on the same page. There is so much ugly in the world, some focus on the light and happy is a welcome change.
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Amen, Sister!
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A parade with golden eggs sounds pretty good right about now!
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carrie, I know. This parade, location and theme, makes me happy.
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A parade in nice weather is the best! (Can you tell I live where we have not yet had nice warm weather?) There is also something about a spring parade that gets the motor running! Woohoo!
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Kate, we don’t have warm weather yet here either. Maybe that’s why the idea of this parade so appealed to me? Plus NOLA is just fun, living life in a relaxed [which to me is positive] way.
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I love NOLA. I’m one of those crazy people who think they could live there and get used to the humidity and heat. (and food and music)
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I couldn’t deal with the humidity, but the food and music I like. NOLA was a fun place to visit and someday I’d like to go back. Not at Mardi Gras, however. Been there, done that.
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No interest in Mardi Gras (hate crowds!). I was there in June and I was ok with weather. August may be a different story. But the food….
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I agree. And Sazerac cocktails. *sigh*
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At the link, I saw the April Fool’s parade, an Easter parade, and . . . a Red Bean parade. The last sounds right up your alley, Ally Bean. 😀
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nancy, why “yes” the red bean parade does sound like a wonderful parade– that probably will not be in an alley. 😉
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Excellent topic! Yes, I’m a fan of happy parades. Good for Don! No contrast and compare the happy parade to other types of parades, although that’s exactly where my mind went.
Passover is Friday, too. Not that heathen pagan Unitarians care, really, we just like matzo balls.
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joey, happy parades organized in honor of silly holidays [April Fool’s Day not Easter] make me think that there’s some goodness left in this world.
I didn’t know that Friday was Passover, too. Another good reason to post this early. I like matzo balls– and now I’m hungry for some soup with them in it.
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I KNOW, right?! All these people cooking for Seder, showing off their photos, makes me drool! I really think we’ll have to get some this weekend 🙂
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The power of the food photos is something else. Enjoy your soup. Don’t slurp.
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LOL!
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An April Fool’s Parade with golden eggs! Love it. I can think of another Fool’s parade that is being planned and I bet there will be no golden eggs there. Good find, Ally.
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Janet, I thought this sounded like a fun parade with no hidden agenda– just a way to have a good time. Love it.
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people can accomplish impressive things when they put their minds to it. an April fools day parade in New Orleans makes total sense. then combine that with Easter and it will be a hopping good time for all
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teacherturnedmommy, good one! A hopping good time, indeed. We’d be fools to not enjoy this positively wonderful parade [even if I am doing so from afar].
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I do think we need more happy events, like fairs and parades. What a great idea! I’ve never been to New Orleans, although I’ve always wanted to visit. (not at Mardi Gras time though–I’m too old for that!)
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Margaret, I agree. Both about the need for more happy parades/fairs AND about visiting NOLA not at Mardi Gras. I’ve been there once for that, and once is enough!
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I love the idea for this parade. We take too many things entirely too seriously and a silly parade on April Fools Day/Easter Sunday is just the thing to make us smile.
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Janis, I agree. Dress goofy, be silly. Have a parade. Sounds like a good idea to me.
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There’s going to be a April Fool’s day parade in San Francisco this weekend too – put on by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. The “sisters” (a group of trans folks) will also be judging the Easter bonnet contest. You can never have enough silliness.
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JT Twissel, San Fran’s parade sounds just as good as the one in NOLA. Although there’s no mention of Easter bonnets, judging of said, in the article about the parade in New Orleans. This Sunday is shaping up to be quite an Easter/April Fool’s Day, if you happen to live in the right places.
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Krewe du Fool cool, Ally! Love the video, too. Yes, it’s hard to come by good news.
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elen, I thought this parade showed a certain amount of spunk and fun. Perfect for my last contribution to this blogfest. I’m marching out in style! 😉
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How can you not love a post that ends with Ronnie Howard and Buddy Hackett? If I could do a prequel version, my advance publicity slogan would be, “Finally, Together! 😉 Oh, and how about those long skirts on the baton twirlers? God, I love old movies. Let’s hear it for parades! – Marty
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Marty, I’d forgotten that Buddy Hackett was in this movie until I watched the video. Little Ronnie Howard I remembered, of course. I agree, some of these older movies are forgotten gems from a time when movies always entertained, with or without parades in them. 😉
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Not to mention: free chocolate/candy!
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Akilah, excellent point. I forgot about that feature of a good parade. Yum.
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A funny day for a parade, but why not? The golden eggs idea is a nice touch.
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Betsy, I hope the parade goes as planned. Seems like people might be busy on Easter doing family things, but then I’m not in NOLA so who knows? I liked the golden eggs, too. Clever.
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A parade of fools, and I wasn’t even invited to be the grand marshal. Hmph!
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evilsquirrel13, maybe next year you can be the grand marshal? That possibility alone might be enough reason for you to marshal your foolish energy and make it through another year! 😉
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Yes, yes! Lighten up and smile! Love your last few paragraphs (and the have3 to smile music video!)
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philmouse, yes I do like the whole idea of this parade. A bit of whimsy, a bit of goofiness. The video is a hoot, isn’t it?
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Excellent idea. I hope there will be a marching band that plays all happy tunes. God knows, we need happy. And fun. And light. And love. xoxo
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Pam, I wish that we were in NOLA because this parade sounds like fun. Who doesn’t love golden eggs on Easter?
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Who doesn’t love a parade? It’s a pity I won’t be in NO on the 1st, especially since they’re holding a parade on my birthday! Thanks for participating in #WATWB!
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eric, I agree. I like the goofiness that underscores this parade, and I like the idea of parades. What could be more positive? Well, you there for your birthday, I guess. But at least you can be there in spirit! 🎂
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I love New Orleans – everything is reason for a parade!
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Sarah, so true! Isn’t Choppy named for something in NOLA? Do I have that right?
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She is – she is named after Tchoupitoulas Street (clearly, that name is too long for everyday use).
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Choppy is a much better name. Fits her to a T.
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Rousing trombones in last video, & may the Fool’s Gold parade proliferate forver aftr … Good on Dnald …
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Susan, I enjoyed the idea that one guy could make a parade happen. That’s positive thinking and doing. Almost a lost art anymore, in our confused times.
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What a fun idea turned into a plan. There’s always room for happy fools, golden eggs, and laughter in my book. Let the parade begin.
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Deborah, isn’t that the truth? This parade charmed me with its originality and fun vibe. Happy Easter AND Happy April Fool’s Day, too.
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Neat way to celebrate Easter…must have golden eggs!
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Kate, everyone with a heart finds their own positive fun, I suppose. The golden eggs part of the parade is inspired.
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We really, really do.
I guess the moral of the story is that every one of us is parade.
Or something.
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Isa-Lee, I like your take on the meaning of this parade. I often say that my job in life is stand on the curb and clap as the parade goes by. Or maybe I should revise myself and say: clap as the positive parade goes by!
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Whole-heartedly agree, and I that movie-clip. :O)
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Love the movie and the clip. 😀
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In My Cluttered Attic, I’d forgotten all about this movie until I read the news story about the parade– and then *boom* I remembered the movie in all it’s glorious fun.
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‘O) It’s one of those great summer movies.
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