By Michael Farrell
Last night's Fishtown Horribles Parade had a lot of marching bands — and included a lot of unique floats and costumed characters.
But few were more unique than the walking and costumed electric guitar band that was making its first unified parade appearance — anywhere.
"We've never played together as a group before," said guitarist Adrian Hunt who added jokingly, "maybe never again."
"We'll show those other bands what it's all about," said guitarist and Gloucester resident, Bob Cardoza.
The Horribles Parade got off to a sunny start, and even though it rained on part of the parade, it didn't dampen the spirits of many of the participants.
Old floats and new came out to entertain the crowds, advertise their business, or plead for aid or support. There was the Gorton's Float, a 1964 Corvette, U.S. Naval Cadets riding on a replica of a destroyer turret that shoots seven inch shells, cars decorated hippie style in support of the Rocky Neck Art Colony, a car from the Cape Ann Animal Shelter looking to raise $1.9 million for a new shelter, and Richard Baker — a Republican political contender for Massachusetts sixth congressional district.
Musically, there was a French-Canadian — and primarily French-speaking — marching unit from Canada. There was also a Scottish pipe and drum team from the School of Scottish Arts in Manchester, N.H. Their pipe major, Gordon Webster, said he had been a member of the Scottish Guard and had been made piper to the queen by the end of his career. And there was also a student jazz band from O'Maley Middle School that had been organized by David Benjamin.
Gloucester resident Rachel Hull, who was watching the parade with friends and family at the intersection of Centennial and Gaffney streets, thought that the O'Maley band was the best. Her son was a drummer in it.
Sam Nicastro, a Rolling Stones fan who watches the Horribles Parade every year from that intersection, said he enjoyed the Tony Verga float. It may have been a large dump truck with a big sign supporting the local democratic representative in the state house — but it towed a flat-bed carrying a rock-'n'-roll band. They didn't play his favorite Stones song — "Satisfaction" — when it passed by. Nevertheless, it was his favorite float.
Wendy Kokos was awed by the giant elephant float and impressed with a group of kids dressed as Spongebob Squarepants characters.
"You're just not used to seeing a big elephant going down the street," she said. "And that Spongebob looked pretty realistic."
Among the more creative displays last night was a sailboat and captain guided by children dressed up in Greek robes and animal costumes in portrayal of the astrological figures depicted in the constellations. Immediately recognizable were Pisces the fish, Scorpio the scorpion, and Leo the lion.
There was also a float of "American Girls," a group of little girls aged six to eight. They are all firemen's daughters, said Gloucester Fireman Dan Kennedy, who drove the float. All are straight-A students, all are dancers, play sports and love the American Girl doll series.
Many companies, including the Green Foam Guy, used the parade as a chance at promotion.
"It's cheap advertising," laughed Green Foam Guy owner Keith Roberts, who had a Jeep with a man dressed up as the Green Foam Guy.
"Nah, we need some fun. Need some laughs," he said, noting the muscle-padded costume. "I mean, how can you not laugh at that?"
Michael Farrell can be reached at gt_reporter@gloucestertimes.com
