Tartan Day Parade

I love people who are willing to go and try new things whenever. Last week my friend, Alyse, invited me to go to the Tartan Day Parade in NY. She had read a blurb about it in an airline magazine and thought I just might be crazy enough to enjoy something like this. She was right. I had no idea that I would love it. I have not been the biggest fan of bag pipes. I have no Scottish connection (unless you count being an avid reader of Hamish Macbeth mysteries.) And still, I thought this was an amazing event. I loved that no one seemed to know that the parade was going to happen. People were curious about the barricades and the police standing guard but when we got there, just before the parade was due to start there was plenty of front line viewing spaces. And then you heard the bag pipes. Now up until this time I think for the most part I have only heard them played indoors (at funerals.) I do not think that is the best way to hear them. Out in the streets of NY, the bag pipes sounded great! I loved the music. I loved the plaids. I loved the kilts. I loved the guys in kilts (JK Jay... it just sounded good.) Alyse and I had so much fun photographing the parade from the starting band to the last tartan clad stragglers. And once again I experienced the excitement of an event in NYC, where everyone seems to be just from one big happy neighborhood. Now I want to start checking out all the "what's happening this weekend" sites to find more of these unique celebrations to experience.