The King Mango Strut IS Coconut Grove
Let's talk about the Strut. Is that the best thing ever or what? Where else can you have Trina Collins and her fake chicken come up against a real chicken, "Mr. Clucky," who was the Grand Marshall?
It brings everyone together and with all the gossip and problems and confusion, it always comes together in the end. It has it's own special positive energy. I have seen so many other stories and photos posted on other blogs about the Strut it's so great to see them all come to the Grove for this. It has been in all the local papers and on all the local tv news shows.
It reminds me of those old movies where someone says, "Let's put on a play," and they do.
So much work and effort and planning goes into this hour-long parade, that basically is put on by the nuts in Coconut Grove (they're the ones who put the NUT in CoconNut Grove). Thanks to them, everyone gets crazy and literally marches around the block. And then it's all over for another year!
Months and months of planning and fundraising go on all for this one moment. And it is worth all the effort and work.
This is what the Grove is about. If you ever wanted to explain our village to anyone, this is how to do it. We're one big dysfunctional family and we love it that way.Some participate, others like to watch from the sidelines with the thousands of visitors who come to our community to share in the circus.
I helped plan one unit in the Strut but ended up taking photos instead and on the second go round, I hopped onto Sue McConnell's electric cart with the Peacocks (not the family, the birds played by Peer Everett and a friend) and we drove around the block again waving to the thousands of people.
All the restaurants and shops were full, the streets were full and everyone had a ball. Let's have another Strut next weekend.
Top photo by AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt, bottom photo by Tom Falco
posted by Tom Falco at 2:30 PM
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8 Comments:
I was really looking forward to attending the Strut as a relatively new Grovite. Unfortunately, I couldn't make it until 3:30 pm and was very disappointed to see that it was already over. Now I know better for next year!
Tom, this was my first parade ever and I agree it is one of the most memorable things to experience in the Miami area every year. I can't believe I never participated before! My sis lives in the Grove so it's close to her heart too.
Anonymous, yes, the parade was only about 1 hour, but afterward there were people hanging out & bands playing ... it remained pedestrian on Commodore Plaza ... so even if you missed the parade proper it was possible to enjoy some fun after the fact.
It's worth mentioning that first strut cost almost nothing, they used wood barricades to block off the streets, and they just put on a parade.
Now, it costs about $45,000 for permits, police, insurance, etc.
What a great job by Glenn Terry.
Thanks for all the pictures, it almost makes up for not being there. We're out of town for the holidays this year.
according to conversation I've overheard there should be no charge as the King Mango Strut is grandfathered in and benefits the City of Miami in a big way. What else could they offer the tourists who come in for the New Year and fill the hotels each year.
They could have used a better sound system though particuarly where I was down by the big intersection at Cocowalk; most people could not hear any commentary and that is a shame. My friends were from out of town and didn't get all the local humor. We got the flying shoes though.
Hi Maria de los Angeles:
did you formerly write the Sex and the Beach Blog? Your picture looks similar. If so I enjoyed your blog and emailed you several months ago that I thought you should get involved with the Strut because I think your humor would fit right in. the invitation is still open as it is to anyone willing and crazy enough to join in.
Len Scinto
Yes, Len .. that is me! Somehow I don't recall receiving an email from you ... I apologize though I don't know how the email escaped me.
But yes, by all means, I would love to be involved next year. Thanks for thinking of me!
You can reach me beachbombshell (at) gmail (dot) com.
Many thanks.
And thanks to Coconut Grove Grapevine for the continuing cool coverage! This blog rocks.
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