Parading through Cambridge!

Like most students here at Harvard, I find myself rationalizing my procrastination. But this morning has allowed me to resort to a novel excuse. “Sorry Professor, there was a parade outside of my window.”

A part of the Honk! and Harvard Square Oktoberfest celebrations, the eclectic Honk! Parade worked its way along Mass Ave to the cheers of enthusiastic crowds. As advertised on its website, the event featured activist street performers as well as other organizations with the intention:

“…to create a spectacular processional theater piece with striking visual images and plenty of brass band music in order to show by example how our streets and public spaces can function as places for community celebration and fun, as well as for their everyday practical purposes…”

The parade kicked off from Davis Square and hit Harvard Square just as I opened up my Expos reading (read: around 1:00 pm). Considering how Straus is a habitable sound barrier for the rest of the Yard, I decided to grab my camera and hit the streets. Keep reading to learn about today’s events along with a video.

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After passing through Johnston gate to the sounds of drums, trumpets, and instrutments that can only be described as contraptions, I picked out a spot and watched the commotion. The bedazzled groups worked the pavement as they strutted through Harvard Square adorned with glitter, feathers, bells and whistles.  After sitting like good boys and girls for the parade’s duration, the crowd quickly turned to JFK, Church, and Brattle Streets in search for Taiwanese pot stickers and yummy Indian food, leaving this author a little frazzled in the commotion. Nevertheless, I made it through the masses (and the vats filled with fried dough) and found myself in front of Peet’s Coffee where the performers were gathered to continue on the festivities a la dance party.

After wandering around the festival for a few more hours, I eventually decided to head back to my dorm but the music seemed to follow me home. With bands performing on the main stage until 6, HONK! and the Oktoberfest were packed and greatly successful events. Although my work remains unfinished, today was a great way to get out of the Harvard Bubble (albeit it my trip across the street…) and I’ll try to remember it this Monday night while I’m camping out in Lamont. And for those of you who missed out on the music and mayhem, it’s time to cut to the clip!

Photos and video by Suzanna Bobadilla ’13.