Photo of the Grand Marshall of the Sunset Beach holiday
parade shows a happy couple driving in an old three wheel motorized
vehicle.
Does the NO Parade need a
Grand Marshall? Why wouldn't it. Upon closer examination and
questioning of the Sunset Beach parade's Grand Marshall, the couple
pointed to tiny print that stated "Self Appointed". At the NO Parade
you are encouraged to use your imagination, and this event did not
disappoint.
Dressed in red, the happy
couple fit snugly into their cozy vehicle that's a bit rusty and
worn, but seems to move them along perfectly for a street parade in
Sunset Beach. We tried to read the label on this three-wheel
cart and couldn't quite make it out. It appears to say something
with the letters, PASTOF IT or PASTOUT IT.. something to that
effect. The emblem design suggested perhaps something German,
but still, a search came up empty.
While the three-wheel cart is
pretty cute, you don't see it driven much along North and South
Pacific in Sunset Beach. Traffic on the street by nature must move
slow. The speed limit is around 20 mph. Passing by garages and
homes, the are many access points to the beach and the traffic
crosses South Pacific to get to it. In the summer months especially
there crowds require a keen eye and much patience as you drive this
route.
The vehicles in the local,
small town parade line up after 6 p.m. one Saturday in December,
usually following the lead vehicle and main attraction, a big red
fire truck. The lights on the truck flash and canned music from a
speaker that sounds like a tin can blares out songs such as "Funky
Town" by Pseudo Echo. As the fire truck creeps along the
street, its sound system alternates music with sirens and the driver
maneuvers the truck in zig zag patterns.
The volunteer fire department
staff come out to help the community, and they help back by creating
fund-raising events throughout the year to support the services
provided by the dedicated group.
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