Colorful Tartans on Display
The culmination of a week long celebration of Scottish contribution to American culture and the passing on of tradition ends with the Tartan Parade up 6th Ave. In a glorious display of Scottish pride and colorful tartans, this young parade is gaining more popularity. In it’s 19th year, the Tartan Parade is well known for having one the largest displays of bagpipe bands from the Tri-State region, Scotland and Canada. The sun soaked day gave the marchers and viewers a hint of the nice spring weather soon arriving. As usual, the mounted police gave the signal for the parade to start. The honorary opening pipe and drum marching band were the US Cadets from West Point, NY. They were pretty good and warmed up the crowd for what would be an amazing show of Scottish culture and tradition. This years Grand Marshall, Tommy Flanagan, of Sons of Anarchy fame, greeted the crowd and took his place to review the festivities on a large tour bus on 56th St.
Grand Marshall Tommy Flanagan
Start of the Tartan Parade
Shamrock & Thistle make their mark
One of the pipe bands to kick off the day of celebration were the NY Caledonian Club Pipe Band. They were impressive. Soon after them were the NY Metro Pipe Band straight out of Brooklyn. A perennial favorite is the Shamrock & Thistle Pipe and Drums Band from Ocean County NJ. Their colorful yellow and black tartans always sets them apart from the crowd. Besides they can really play. One of the best things about this parade is the invited bands that come in from Scotland. This year Oban HS Scotland band made their country proud. A crowd favorite has always been the display of Scottish and West Highland Terriers. The dogs always bring their owners to the parade so they can show off their Scottish pride. A pleasant surprise was the Middlesex County, NJ Police Pipes and Drum Band. As usual, the lamest interpretation of Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster, made an appearance. Really, they should give it a rest. This year, the parade organizers saved the best for last with special guests from Scotland. St. Columba’s School Kilmalcolm made quite an impression both during and after the parade. In keeping with tradition, pipe and drum bands get together for a spontaneous jam right on 56th St. They play until the police kick them out. This year, there was a fun drum battle and a version of Amazing Grace that was a joy to capture. The Tartan parade was truly a fun parade and the Scottish hearts had plenty to be happy about.
See Ya Next Year
NYC Parade Life 