Previously on Midlife Crisis Crossover:
The next five entries (to be posted over Memorial Day Weekend as quickly as time and endurance permit) represent a fraction of the pics my wife and I snapped. In many cases, encores and additional takes of specific subjects may be available if anyone out there is interested in seeing more, or is looking for a loved one who was in one of the many marching bands that day. For first-time MCC visitors, please note my wife and I are relative amateurs, obviously not trained professional photographers, sharing these from a hobbyist standpoint because of fun Internet joyfulness.
In this installment, we feature a selection of special-interest groups who marched through downtown Indianapolis on May 25, 2013, in the name of their respective organizations for the sake of parade-based goodness.
When Han Solo and Princess Leia Organa rolled by on a float of their own, longtime readers can imagine this writer’s response. At last, a parade attraction that really speaks to me!
Strolling behind Han and Leia: Darth Vader and dozens of members of the 501st Legion, the most organized, ubiquitous, and heavily armored of American Star Wars fans. Bonus points to the Emperor’s Royal Guard, so proud and unique in crimson.
Original Trilogy Stormtroopers weren’t the only henchmen tagging along. Clonetroopers and bounty hunters likewise established a presence.
And yes, Han and Leia weren’t the only good guys around. I’m not sure how effective the average X-Wing pilot is without his ship, but everyone seemed too amicable to pick a fight and test their mettle. Presumably both the Alliance and the Empire are well aware of “the parade truce”.
Not everyone was up for the long walk through downtown Indianapolis. Wookiees don’t visit here often, but when they do, they travel in style.
And now for a completely different kind of princess: the official 500 Festival Parade princesses. They may be more comfortably dressed, but none of them has the pleasure of being accompanied a roguish smuggler who can make the Kessel run at all.
Princess wasn’t the only profession of choice for parade participants. Also on hand: the Indianapolis Colts Cheerleaders.
Also appearing on behalf of American institutions: the OneAmerica Walking Flag, frequent guests at local parades and events since 1995.
Also distinctly American: the Mid America Cowgirls Rodeo Drill Team.
Moving from the Old West to the Far East, welcome the Confucius Instititute, IUPUI chapter. They also brought their own balloons.
The largest, most variegated fashion display was provided courtesy of the Nationalities Council of Indiana, who brought a touch of cosmopolitan class as an appropriate reminder that the Indianapolis 500 is an international event whose drivers hail from five different continents.
Some Council weren’t just there to stride and wave. Some of them came to dance.
Thanks for viewing! Other chapters in this series may be viewed at the following links:
Part 1: the Special Guests
Part 2: Some of Your Qualifying Drivers
Part 4: a Salute to the Marching Bands
Part 5: Balloons and Floats for the Win
