Going to Watch the Parade Today
By Jeff Moffitt
@moffittjc (128831)
Gainesville, Florida
October 14, 2016 7:53am CST
Today starts homecoming weekend for the University of Florida, and they kick off the weekend celebrations with a huge parade (the darn thing is 2 hours long)! The kids and I, along with a couple of friends who came into town last night, will go to the parade today, which starts at noon.
I have been given the task of getting to the parade route early and setting up the chairs so that we a great spot reserved. We usually like to be near the start of the parade route, under a giant oak tree that provides shade. It's nice that we can set up our chairs and drop off our coolers, drinks and snacks and then leave them there unattended for a few hours until we come back for the start of the parade. I'm thankful to still live in a city where people won't mess with or steal your stuff!
Today is essentially a national holiday in Gainesville! Everything is closed today due to UF homecoming...government offices, banks, businesses, schools, etc. Everybody will be at the parade, which expects attendance in excess of 100,000.
What do you have planned today?
8 people like this
9 responses
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
14 Oct 16
One thing that I really admire about Americans is your total involvement in such events. This is especially evident on 4th July, when the whole population demonstrates patriotism and national pride.
Sadly patriotism is almost extinct in England now and far too few people can even tell you when Saint George's Day is.
3 people like this
@moffittjc (128831)
• Gainesville, Florida
14 Oct 16
You never realize how important a washing machine is until yours breaks down! Hope you have some good luck finding a new one!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128831)
• Gainesville, Florida
14 Oct 16
@5thHouse I've had worse...have you ever had a refrigerator break down on you over the weekend? Oh, the joys of shopping around for a new one, while also trying to keep all of your food from spoiling until you can get the new one purchased and installed!
1 person likes this
@5thHouse (1678)
• Sheffield, England
14 Oct 16
@moffittjc That's probably what we'll end up doing over the weekend, shopping for a new one - oh joys! Beat that for an exciting weekend.
2 people like this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
15 Oct 16
Wow sounds like an exciting day planned. I hope you had fun. Did you end up getting a nice spot :)
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
15 Oct 16
@moffittjc That's awesome! You're quite the early bird! I hate going when it gets crowded unless of course someone reserves a spot & I get good parking!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128831)
• Gainesville, Florida
15 Oct 16
@infatuatedbby I would prefer not to go so early, but that is the only way to get a good parking spot and a good parade spot! After we get parked and situated and all our chairs set up on the parade route, we'll walk around and visit all the shops in the area and find a nice restaurant to have breakfast in.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128831)
• Gainesville, Florida
15 Oct 16
Yes! We got a perfect spot under a big shady oak tree, right at the front of the sidewalk on the street the parade was on, which meant we could sit and enjoy ourselves with unobstructed views of the parade floats as they came by.
1 person likes this
@LovingMyBabies (85923)
• Valdosta, Georgia
14 Oct 16
Oh wow, it sounds like a huge event! I hope y'all have a wonderful time today. =)
2 people like this
@moffittjc (128831)
• Gainesville, Florida
14 Oct 16
We had a great time, and thankfully my kids still enjoy it (they are teenagers). I don't know who has a better time, me or the kids! lol
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128831)
• Gainesville, Florida
14 Oct 16
It was a great time, although the parade was really long again this year! But I didn't mind, as there were two college girls who sat right behind us at the parade who brought sangrias to drink, and were more than happy to share with me! lol
2 people like this
@Happy2BeMe (99353)
• Canada
14 Oct 16
That sounds like a lot of fun. It is great when you live in a place where you can trust people. Most places aren't like that now a days. I am working all day so no fun for me! Hope you all enjoy the parade.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128831)
• Gainesville, Florida
14 Oct 16
I do enjoy living in such a safe community, where everyone looks after each other. The parade was very enjoyable today, and we couldn't have asked for more perfect weather!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128831)
• Gainesville, Florida
14 Oct 16
@Happy2BeMe The festivities continue tonight with a big concert called "Gator Growl." It's really a big student-run pep rally, but over the years it has morphed into a music festival. There will be four bands playing tonight. Of the four, I only like the first group, so I will go watch them perform and then leave. It works out well, because I won't be out too late tonight, since I have to get up early tomorrow for the big football game.
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
14 Oct 16
Only my usual pool time that took place at 5:30 this morning. Other than that, I did some unexpected shopping and now I'm here, interacting with everyone. Have fun at the parade. 
I always loved a good parade and it sounds like you're having a good one. It's good that you can set up and walk away until the time of the parade start. Being under the shade of a nice oak tree is a plus.
I always loved a good parade and it sounds like you're having a good one. It's good that you can set up and walk away until the time of the parade start. Being under the shade of a nice oak tree is a plus.1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128831)
• Gainesville, Florida
14 Oct 16
In Florida, being under the shade of a tree is a must if one is going to sit outside for a couple of hours watching a parade!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128831)
• Gainesville, Florida
18 Oct 16
@just4him Water is a must for any outdoor activity in Florida! I definitely brought plenty of water to drink while we were watching the parade!
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
17 Oct 16
@moffittjc I would think it would be. Along with plenty of water to keep you hydrated.
1 person likes this
@everwonderwhy (7355)
•
17 Oct 16
Was it a historic parade? How did it go? Were there in the likable government officials in attendance?
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128831)
• Gainesville, Florida
18 Oct 16
It was the annual homecoming parade for the University of Florida. I guess it would be considered historic, as the parade has been happening every year for the past 150 years or so! There were lots of government officials in attendance, both democrats and republicans. The city I live in is a very liberal city, but everyone was respectful of all politicians, even the conservative ones.
@RitzzView (3041)
• India
15 Oct 16
With the topic of parade, I here, am sharing my wish to watch parade as well. Especially of the National Days! 
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128831)
• Gainesville, Florida
16 Oct 16
I love parades, and wish we had more of them throughout the year!
@moffittjc (128831)
• Gainesville, Florida
16 Oct 16
@RitzzView You make a good point! It's more special because it's something you've looked forward to all year long!
@RitzzView (3041)
• India
16 Oct 16
@moffittjc If we'd have more, we wouldn't have valued or liked it this much..
Just because its once in a year, we wait for it..and the preparation is done so excitedly..the whole atmosphere looks worth it!
1 person likes this
