The Swamp Buggy Parade meant a ton of extra work for the NPD each year. Most cops, however, loved the event as it guaranteed the kind of off-the-wall action and dark humor cops thrive on.
The parade itself was unique. Starting at 3rd Street South and 12th Avenue, it turned the corner at 5th Ave, marched up the main business drag to 8th St So and disbanded in Cambier Park. Aside from the bands, commercial floats, politicians, and array of traditional wood's buggies and racing buggies seen nowhere else, there were other unique participants.
Some found it strange that the mobile units that drew the most cheers were the City Of Naples garbage trucks. The crowd lining the street, roared their approval. And, it seemed genuine, not mock, furor.
In any parade mistakes occur. The Swamp Buggy had their share. On one float, there was a minature shrimp boat with a smoke stack that puffed white smoke. Somewhere along the parade route, some rascal slipped a condom over the stack, and as the parade proceeded the thing grew to gigantic proportions, delighting the crowd.
Then there were the "arrests" made out of the crowd by the Bush Patrol posse attending the Swamp Buggy jail. Some folks didn't see the humor in being rousted from the crowd and protested with vigor. There were times, when the arrests turned into near bar-fight bedlam. (We tried not to "see" these things)
There were also lessons to be learned. Each year, one of the floats had a "swamp creature" who'd roll off the float and terrorize watchers. The critter was actually a man, covered with Spanish Moss until he looked like a dangerous clump of weeds. Occasionally, about halfway through the parade, the critter would begin an impassioned dance, ripping off the Spanish Moss and his clothing. Crackers knew the problem and roared with laughter.
Using Spanish Moss for a body decoration is fine if you first boil the stuff. This kills the chiggers that infest the moss and soon, if not killed, will burrow deep in the wearer's hide.
Yep, there were lessons to be learned, especially if you want to insure all those majorettes and parade marchers don't slip an' slide along the route. That lesson? All the horses in a parade go last.
In any parade mistakes occur. The Swamp Buggy had their share. On one float, there was a minature shrimp boat with a smoke stack that puffed white smoke. Somewhere along the parade route, some rascal slipped a condom over the stack, and as the parade proceeded the thing grew to gigantic proportions, delighting the crowd.
Then there were the "arrests" made out of the crowd by the Bush Patrol posse attending the Swamp Buggy jail. Some folks didn't see the humor in being rousted from the crowd and protested with vigor. There were times, when the arrests turned into near bar-fight bedlam. (We tried not to "see" these things)
There were also lessons to be learned. Each year, one of the floats had a "swamp creature" who'd roll off the float and terrorize watchers. The critter was actually a man, covered with Spanish Moss until he looked like a dangerous clump of weeds. Occasionally, about halfway through the parade, the critter would begin an impassioned dance, ripping off the Spanish Moss and his clothing. Crackers knew the problem and roared with laughter.
Using Spanish Moss for a body decoration is fine if you first boil the stuff. This kills the chiggers that infest the moss and soon, if not killed, will burrow deep in the wearer's hide.
Yep, there were lessons to be learned, especially if you want to insure all those majorettes and parade marchers don't slip an' slide along the route. That lesson? All the horses in a parade go last.
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