Vintage Times-Union: Jacksonville Beach parade, 76 years old, marks the 'opening' of the Beaches
April means it's time for the annual Beaches parade, which this year comes to Jacksonville Beach on April 24. It's a tradition that started 76 years ago and has long marked the unofficial "opening" of the Beaches.
To which The Florida Times-Union's late Don Meitin once quipped in print something like: "Funny, didn't know it was closed."
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True enough. But decades ago, the Beaches were indeed often sleepy during the colder months, stirring only as the warmer weather invariably drew townies and tourists to the sand.
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Now the Beaches pretty much bustle year-round, much changed. But the parade is largely the same.
It's still a salty slice of Americana, with kids and other spectators lining the street to watch Shriners atop tiny cars doing all manner of nutty maneuvers, along with stately motorcyclists, prancing dance troupes, orderly high school bands, vintage fire trucks and bronzed lifeguards, among other attractions.
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And in the crowd, there always seems to be at least one shirtless guy with a snake wrapped around his neck and a few other people with big tropical birds squawking on their shoulders.
It's good to know some things never change.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Beach parade is still a slice of salty Americana
