The 4th of July Parade

Local Democratic Party contingent files into a Suburban parade route in the heartland of the greater Chicagoland metropolitan area. (Photo courtesy of the Winfield Township Democratic Organization)

Along with flaming barbecues and exploding fireworks, the Fourth of July parade is among the more iconic images of the US Independence Day holiday season.

I am fortunate enough to have experienced parades from the vantagepoint of both audience and marcher. I always got as much of a kick out of all the groups, organizations and acts passing by in the street as I did from the characters in the crowds along the curbs and parkways watching it all go by.

From inside the parade, you get to see the mass of humanity roll out on both sides of you as you pass by on your way to the end of your parade route. In my position as a precinct committeeperson for a local Democratic Party organization, I have assumed the annual job of color bearer, waving Old Glory at the head of our contingent of candidates and their volunteers, beside two marchers holding either end of the group’s banner with our name and our web address beneath it, as the rest of our contingent passes out candies and campaign literature to the kids and grownups in the crowd.

As a political contingent, we expect a range of reactions within the crowds, from groups and individuals lining the route; from those who rise at the sight of the flag and others breaking out in cheers at the sight of the banner, to those free and so compelled to express their disfavor at our presence, to take it as an invitation to…