By Alaina Loughridge My Very First Time
When my lovely assistant, Jimmy Prosser, asked if I would be interested in riding on Bubba Gumbo’s Float in Tybee’s Irish Heritage Parade, I was
hesitant. I am sideliner kind of girl. I take pictures of other people cruising the boulevard. I had never been in a parade. I had to take one for the team!
Game day arrived and I met the Bubba Gumbo’s crew on the corner of Second St. and Second Ave. As I walked up Second taking pictures, the Shriner’s
Club float was blasting music. What a vibe!!! People were everywhere laughing! Dancing! The anticipation was high and even the residents (oh, bless their
hearts for dealing with that scene) were getting in the spirit! How could you not??
An hour later we started off … very slowly. We were literally the last float. Once we hit Butler, it was mind overload! So many people! When you are on
the street watching, you don’t understand the number of people that are stretched along Butler! By the time we got to Tybrisa, it was just WOW!!! What a
fantastic time!!!
Now, you are not allowed to throw things (candy, koozies, bras, phone numbers, etc.) off of floats, but hypothetically, if one were to throw - say koozies
and candy from the float, one would need to be: a.) Discreet (ha) and b.) Mind one’s supply. If this had actually happened, one would run out of items to
throw way prior to say 10th and Butler. Lesson learned there (hypothetically of course).
What a great time!!! So many smiles and happy people everywhere. A huge shout out to Bubba Gumbo’s for allowing me on their float and having the
best time ever!!! Note to all: If you ever get the chance to be on a float, DO IT!!! You will have the time of your life!!!
32 TYBEE BEACHCOMBER | APRIL 2018