A month late but let’s go!
This year, our 4th of July started early. On the Saturday before the 4th, we headed to 13th Avenue in Dyker Heights in Brooklyn for the 107th 4th of July parade that is organized by the Knights of Columbus. Because of MTA trackwork this involved 3 trains and two buses to get to the area where the parade was being held. It was also oppressively hot. The kind of heat where you cannot bear to be in direct sunlight and you cross the street to walk in the shade. Because of the detours, we got there right on time and we were near the start of the parade. There was NO-ONE watching from our area. We got a spot under what I think was the only tree on the street and waved our little flags. Before long we met our State Senator, Marty Golden and a few other politicians and those running in local elections. What was hilarious was because we were the only ones standing on this block, they were all running up to us like we were guests of honor because there was no-one else to shake hands with!
The main street was cleared and ready for the parade. It was blazing hot and uncomfortable –
Some of the businesses decorated where they could –
The roar of these bikes got things going –
At every local parade you can count on police on horses being there –
Here are some of the representatives of the Knights of Columbus. I don’t know how could handle the heat in their uniform.
Old NYPD police car –
A local politician in a vintage firetruck –
Another parade certainty – bagpipers!
… and marching bands!
It was great seeing a vintage NYC cab!
The Girl Guides were so cute –
Then, a corvette club made their presence known!
Then, for some reason, the SIKK (Staten Island Kar Club – yes really!) made an appearance. Even though we were in Brooklyn?!
That was basically it..! If I was voting on parades, the Castleton Memorial Day Parade wins hands down. It would be good to see this 4th of July parade in cooler weather though and to also attend the ceremony in the park afterwards and see what that is like. Maybe next year!
When the parade was over we decided to see what the food was like in Dyker Heights. Right near where we were standing AND our bus stop, there was a pizza place called Frank’s Pizza. Their pizza was AWESOME for grandma slices. I can thoroughly recommend them!
We split an arancini and got a slice each. Both were spectacular!
Photo from Flickr –
So it was hot, uncomfortable and we had a hard time getting there but, we discovered a neighborhood that we had not previously visited and found a great slice at the same time!
I should note, the actual 4th of July day was spent in front of the AC and having a lovely lobster and salad lunch as an ‘indoor picnic’. We did our usual routine of watching the 4th of July concert from Washington DC and Boston while flicking back to the New York ones. Nothing beats DC in my opinion and I hope that one day we can go there and see it live.
So that was the 4th of July… a month late. Next up, back to Venice!
Looking back –