Portland Pride Parade 2014. The 44th annual parade celebrates legal marriage for same sex couples this year.
My Tara was in the parade for the first time this year! It was exciting to get ready and to show up early and wander through the staging area, which I haven’t done before. Tara had cut up her Madison High School Gay Straight Alliance T-shirt and made a really awesome shirt out of it. Sadly, it was cold and rainy before the parade so she kept a sweater on and I couldn’t get a photo of the awesomely creative dragon-spawn I call my kid. Even sadder: I never even saw her in the parade. She wasn’t with a float, just a group of kids, and I spotted her group as they were already past me, and I couldn’t pick her out. I am So Bummed.
Tara and my Uncle Jim in the staging area. She was between floats 50 and 51, and he was float 79, so even though the parade had started at this time, we were still at leisure.Dancers with Maracatu PDXYup. It’s Portland. It rained. But it didn’t seem to dampen anyone’s spirits.Lotta Marie Liquor was so funny. “The rain is melting my hair!” (it still looks great.)Rainbow Balloons are required at Pride ParadeWe saw plenty of vuvuzelas this World Cup SundayWell, I could have guessed that Indians are proud, tooI don’t know who this guy is/ is representing, but he’s awesome. Look at the little tyke in the yellow rain slicker in the background.Maracatu PDX had wonderful costumesHere’s another couple of dancers from Maracatu PDXOld fashions haven’t gone out of style yet, and probably won’t.Portland Sisters of Perpetual IndulgenceI got a kick out of the softball players, the Fairies and the CubsThings warmed up a little when this float came byPitties in PinkPacific Pug Rescue
Ok, I’ll say it: this had to be a crushing blow to a dog ego, if there is such a thing. There were lots and lots of parade dogs this year, all decked in finery from pink tutus to monster costumes and rainbow clown collars. Oh, you poor doggies. I hope your people took you home and gave you bunches of love for putting up with our human silliness. 🙂
monster dogI didn’t know their spots came in those colors!
I’m glad the excitement comes through. I really love this parade, and the atmosphere of the spectators. For those hours, there seems to be no fear at all of being judged. It feels very good to be among such an enormous variety of people with huge amounts of love and appreciation swirling around.
Thanks for coming along with me, Bruce! The nice thing about your visit is that you didn’t get rained on, and your feet didn’t get tired from standing for four hours. I’m so glad you enjoyed the parade.
I’m pretty sure many of the dogs were there as part of advertisement for shelters and rescue groups. The hope is that the dogs in the parade will get adopted. I think I’d find a dog much more appealing if it did not wear a tutu. But you know… that’s just me. I’m glad you enjoyed the photos.
Superb photos. Loved them, it gave such a lively feeling. I am sure you must have enjoyed in the parade. It’s good to get along with people around you and have that good evening 🙂
The Pride Parade is always so much fun. The energy of both the participants and the audience remains high and happy. So, even when it rained for a little while, we all stayed happy and clapped and waved and smiled. Thanks for visiting my blog, Aanchal!
A little rain spiced up the joy and wonderful thing is it dint let the joy down!!
I am glad to be connected to you. Looking forward to read about your happy tales. Xxx
Conscious Engagement 
I love it when you share your excitement of this parade 🙂
Love you,
Debbie
I’m glad the excitement comes through. I really love this parade, and the atmosphere of the spectators. For those hours, there seems to be no fear at all of being judged. It feels very good to be among such an enormous variety of people with huge amounts of love and appreciation swirling around.
I’m not one for parades. Not my thing, but I posted up for this CE parade report and enjoyed it. Crystal and her camera on the spot!
Thanks for coming along with me, Bruce! The nice thing about your visit is that you didn’t get rained on, and your feet didn’t get tired from standing for four hours. I’m so glad you enjoyed the parade.
Fabulous post!! I do enjoyed these photos and am so in agreement with your comments about the dogs 🙂
I’m pretty sure many of the dogs were there as part of advertisement for shelters and rescue groups. The hope is that the dogs in the parade will get adopted. I think I’d find a dog much more appealing if it did not wear a tutu. But you know… that’s just me. I’m glad you enjoyed the photos.
Superb photos. Loved them, it gave such a lively feeling. I am sure you must have enjoyed in the parade. It’s good to get along with people around you and have that good evening 🙂
The Pride Parade is always so much fun. The energy of both the participants and the audience remains high and happy. So, even when it rained for a little while, we all stayed happy and clapped and waved and smiled. Thanks for visiting my blog, Aanchal!
A little rain spiced up the joy and wonderful thing is it dint let the joy down!!
I am glad to be connected to you. Looking forward to read about your happy tales. Xxx
Beautiful colors. Beautiful people.
Simply and perfectly stated, my friend.