Weeds and Pink Wall

Willimantic, Connecticut 

Weeds, Mural, and Book Depository

Willimantic, Connecticut

What is It?

Willimantic, Connecticut 

ONE WAY

Willimantic, Connecticut 

Mural

Willimantic, Connecticut

Weeds and Walls

Willimantic, Connecticut 

DO NOT BLOCK D-WAY

Willimantic, Connecticut 

Side Facade

Willimantic, Connecticut 

37th Annual July 4 Boom Box Parade

Willimantic, Connecticut

The unique thing about this Independence Day parade is that there are no marching bands. Also no registration or paperwork for anyone or any group who wants to participate. You just need to show up with a boom box (or a vehicle's sound system) and tune it to the local radio station,WILI. They play music appropriate to the occassion. I thought it was cool for the library staff to turn up to march and promote reading.

The marchers and spectator crowd were both a lot larger than the couple of other times I've been here. Right now they're trying to spot a colorfull hot air baloon drifting in from the west.

A lot of the participants intended to project social and political messages.

Note the eponymous boom box.

The two macaws were imitating female human parade screaming, but louder.

The messages kept coming.

Not everyone wanted to project something beyond the stars and stripes.

The sponsoring radio station's parade wheels.

"Support civil review board" translates to a demand for police reform.

 

I don't think I have to explain any of the rest.

Willimantic Weeds

 

Willimantic, Connecticut, 4/7/21

Last from the Parade

Willimantic, Connecticut, 7/4/21

More Parade

 

Willimantic, Connecticut, 7/4/21

Click on any front page image to get a much better look at the pictures.

The Earth is My Home

Willimantic, Connecticut, 7/4/21

Patriotism and environmentalism.

Waiting for the Parade to Begin

Willimantic, Connecticut, 7/4/21

Red, white, and blue were everywhere, but also combined with plenty of political and environmental activism.

detail

Boom Box Parade

 

Willimantic, Connecticut, 7/4/21

The Willimantic Fourth of July Boom Box Parade was held for the 36th time this past Sunday. The distinguishing characteristic of the parade is that there are no marching bands. Instead, marchers carry 'boom box' portable radios tuned to the local radio station, Wili AM 1400, which plays marching band music and other patriotic-theme selections.

Detail

Cars and trucks in the parade also blasted AM 1400 or its FM twin with the windows rolled down. I'll post some more from the parade in the next few days.

As always you can click on the front page pictures to see a much larger and clearer version.

Decorative Plant

 Willimantic, Connecticut, 7/4/21

Three Food Groups

 

Willimantic, Connecticut, 7/4/21

Before the Parade

Willimantic, Connecticut, 7/4/21