Though Dan couldn’t make it up from New Bedford for the parade today (we missed you Dan, hope you are feeling less phlegmy and more rested), today was the best Patriot’s Day parade ever.  Ever.  The weather was fantastic – not too cold, not too hot, sunny but not sun-burny – and Dad and I managed to do everything just right.

I picked Dad up at 8 AM, and as we drove to Concord center we worried about where to park.  Which was a silly worry, because the best parking spot ever appeared before our eyes: on Main Street right by the Concord Public Library.  The weather was still chilly, so we sat in the car and chatted for a bit, and within ten minutes of our parking there wasn’t a spot to be found on Main Street.  Yay us.  And the day just got better from that point…

We decided to catch the parade at its beginning, and stood in front of Sally Ann’s Bakery waiting for it to start.  And who can stand by an open, wonderful bakery without buying a muffin (blueberry) and a cup of steaming hot coffee (Jamaican Blue and Colombian mixed together).  Dad and I sipped and nibbled as the parade began the day’s march, shivering a little in the morning cold. 

The parade’s opening is never its best part, though we enjoyed it, and once it had passed we strode over the raised walkway between the Keyes Road lot and the Christian Science church, with the Old Manse as our next destination.  Along our way we ran into a mom and four boys who are from the town in which I am a librarian and had a lovely chat about growing up in Concord (me) and Lincoln (her), and I shared with her where we were headed.  Her eyes lit up at the mention of the horses at the Old Manse, and she eagerly asked if she could follow us on our sneaky shortcut.  But when she asked the four boys whether they would rather see the horses or watch the guns being fired – you guessed it, the boys all yelped “Guns!  Guns!  We want to see the guns!!”  As we parted ways with the group, the mom sighed and said, “I wish I could go with you guys and see the horses!!”

Dad and continued on past Concord Lumber and to the old railroad embankment, cutting across to Monument Street and the Old Manse.  There all the horses stood with their handlers, away from the sound of cannons and guns.  Jean has asked what kind of heavy horses are in the parade, and I don’t really know – they’re a buff color with paler manes and tails, beautiful and solid and huge.  I took lots and lots and lots of photos of them and of the graceful Arabians who also march with the Concord Independent Battery.  Usually I’m one of the few people who hang out by the horses, but this year there was a gaggle of little girls and their moms petting the Arabians’ noses and ooohing and aaahing wistfully.  And then the first cannon was fired, which spooked the sweet patient pinto who had been receiving the most attention from the cluster of horse fans.  That put an end to the petting, but allowed me to get some great photos of the horses with the Old Manse in the background.  But I could see that Dad was getting a bit tired of the girly horsey thing, and so we walked back to the center.

And we got the best viewing spot EVER.  This year the reviewing stand was moved to the intersection of Main and Walden streets, and I spotted a family seated in portable chairs on the Monument Square side of the reviewing stand, right next to the area reserved for Important People.  I elbowed Dad and we took up residence directly behind them, for an unobstructed view of the parade and unlimited photographic opportunities.

So here’s the secret:  each group who marches in the parade struts their best stuff in front of the reviewing stand.  It’s the most awesome place to be.  The bagpipe and drum unit from Boston stopped just by us to perform a beautiful rendition of “Amazing Grace”; the Navy Band pulled out all the stops and even pointed their trumpets and tubas right at us; the Fenn School band turned out a great performance in front of us; and we had a front row (and safe) seat for the drama of the CIB’s horses.  As I wrote yesterday, the CIB’s horses bring up the rear of the parade, and haul the cannons down Main Street at a good fast clip for a dramatic finale.  The first cannon was drawn by a pair that pulled side by side, but the second cannon was drawn by three horses, one leading in front, followed by a side by side pair.  That lead heavy horse got spooked and frisky, though, and started to pull the cannon and other horses towards the crowd on the other side of the street.  It took a lot of hard work from the CIB rider on him AND a man pulling on that horse’s lead rope to redirect those huge horses and heavy cannon away from the crowd and back towards the center of the street.  Pretty dramatic!

So I’ve probably gone on for far too long about this perfect, wonderful Patriot’s Day, but let me say one more thing:  when I moved away from Concord four years ago after thirty-five years of being a resident, I was saddened to think that I was no longer a Concordian.  I realized today that I was wrong.  I’ll always be a Concordian, though I’ll probably never again live in Concord.  It’s just who I am, and where I’m best known.   And where my favorite holiday takes place each year.

Saturday was my favorite holiday, and today I’ll be at the official parade.  I remember several years ago when the push was made to move Concord’s Patriot’s Day parade to the Monday holiday, rather than hold the parade on the 19th regardless of the day of the week.  I was sad when that switch was made, and I know I’m not alone.  Certain events are still held on the actual holiday, like the Patriot’s Ball and the Dawn Salute near the Old North Bridge, and I think the Sudbury Minutemen still insist on making the trek to Concord on the 19th (which means that they miss the parade most years, which is a shame, because they’re a fun-loving crew and add a lot to the parade). 

I missed the Dawn Salute this year, due to my total inability to haul my butt out of bed and into my car at 5:15 AM, and I’m sad about that.  Though it’s cold and painfully early, it’s the best part of an awesome holiday, especially when Prescott rides his horse across the bridge while yelling “The Regulars are coming!  The Regulars are coming!”  Sends chills up my spine every time.  And I love that not too many people attend the Dawn Salute; only the truly dedicated show up. 

But today’s parade comes in a close second to the Dawn Salute.  Concord’s parade (unlike arch-rival Lexington’s parade) is very homegrown and unadorned.  There are great marching bands, but no floats; lots of people dressed in period-appropriate costumes, but no one in clown suits.  My favorite part of the parade is the unit from the Concord Independent Battery.  I love to hang out at the Old Manse during the ceremony at the Old North Bridge, because the Battery’s horses rest there before the last leg of the parade.  There are some lovely little saddle horses (I watch out for one palomino in particular each year), but the heavy horses are my absolute favorites.  They are awesome – there’s something about being in the same space as those huge and beautiful horses that takes my breath away.  And each year, when I develop my roll of film from the parade, most of the photos end up being shots of the horses at rest at the Old Manse and running the final run down Main Street.

Which, of course, is the best part of the best day of the year:  standing at the head of Main Street (selfishly, I won’t give away the prime viewing spot) and watching while the Battery holds back at the rear of the parade, allowing space to grow between them and the unit in front of them.  Then the signal is given, and those fantastic heavy horses take off at a run down the street, hauling the heavy cannons in grand style.  For me, it’s the best thrill of the year.

Happy Patriot’s Day, everyone.