CANCELED! – 3/17 – St Patricks/Mardi Gras Parade – Call For Volunteers!

Our Community › Forums › Events › CANCELED! – 3/17 – St Patricks/Mardi Gras Parade – Call For Volunteers!

  • Creator
    Topic
  • February 20, 2014 at 7:04 pm #914907
    Tim Kelley
    Participant

    [ATTACH=CONFIG]4818[/ATTACH]

    A few of Arlington County’s programs are participating in the Clarendon Mardi Gras parade again this year and BikeArlington would like some volunteers to ride their bikes, and help throw beads and candy to the screaming masses! For those who have done it in the past, you can expect a similar procedure. Does anyone want to chime in with their experiences?

    This year the kids from Phoenix Bikes are going to be riding with us again and we hope to have lots of friends from the forum come out too. Unfortunately, with the National Bike Summit happening at the same time and BA being understaffed, we’re not actually going to be able to ride in it. Our partners at the Car Free Diet and WalkArlington will be there again though.

    If you want to participate, just leave a comment here on this thread and we’ll have more details on specific timing when the organizers give them to us–likely just a day or two beforehand. You can count on it being sometime from 6:30pm-9pm, or so.

    Here is the official event details website: http://clarendon.org/mardi-gras/

    And some photos from last year: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.440387282696460.93698.205971902804667&type=3

  • Creator
    Topic
Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 45 total)
1 2 3
  • Author
    Replies
  • February 20, 2014 at 7:20 pm #994240
    consularrider
    Participant

    I participated in 2012 and 2013 and you can see me on the left side of Tim’s photo (BA reflective vest and white helment). I enjoyed it, but you do a lot of Fred Flintstone because the parade is crowded and the groups move very slowly. It does take coordination to maneuver your bike and toss beads.

    I hope I can do it again this year, so put me on the list. We will miss the Tim and Zanna dynamic duo. :(

    February 20, 2014 at 7:31 pm #994242
    UnknownCyclist
    Participant

    Hopefully the Arlington Police will be out in full force to enforce Virginia’s anti-mask law.;)

    February 20, 2014 at 7:48 pm #994243
    consularrider
    Participant

    @UnknownCyclist 77910 wrote:

    Hopefully the Arlington Police will be out in full force to enforce Virginia’s anti-mask law.;)

    Maybe the Governor will have signed the new bill by then. ;)

    February 20, 2014 at 8:27 pm #994255
    Fast Friendly Guy
    Participant

    Tim,
    I’m always up for a parade/celebration! Plus, now that I’ve perfected my texting while cycling skills, throwing Mardi Gras beads while riding will seem like a breeze!

    Dave

    February 21, 2014 at 12:26 am #994268
    KelOnWheels
    Participant

    Aw man! I wish I had seen this before I said I would go on travel for work that night! Now I am sad :(

    February 24, 2014 at 5:54 pm #994483
    Tim Kelley
    Participant

    Just a heads up that the point on contact that evening will be Renee Cianciolo (862-432-8985). I’ll pass along timing and location details when I have them.

    February 24, 2014 at 6:17 pm #994487
    Dirt
    Participant

    I think I’m able to ride this year! Should be fun.

    February 24, 2014 at 11:22 pm #994527
    PeteD
    Participant

    Unfortunately someone decided to make Fat Tuesday this year the same day as my wedding anniversary… I’m trying to find a nice restaurant on the parade route, but I think we’re going to be a bit too far down to catch anything.

    –Pete

    February 25, 2014 at 1:59 pm #994569
    consularrider
    Participant

    @PeteD 78193 wrote:

    Unfortunately someone decided to make Fat Tuesday this year the same day as my wedding anniversary… I’m trying to find a nice restaurant on the parade route, but I think we’re going to be a bit too far down to catch anything.

    –Pete

    Maybe we’ll save a string or two for the end.

    February 25, 2014 at 2:15 pm #994572
    culimerc
    Participant

    @PeteD 78193 wrote:

    Unfortunately someone decided to make Fat Tuesday this year the same day as my wedding anniversary… I’m trying to find a nice restaurant on the parade route, but I think we’re going to be a bit too far down to catch anything.

    –Pete

    Try Willow.

    February 25, 2014 at 3:57 pm #994582
    ejwillis62
    Participant

    I am in it was a lot of fun last year. A bit cold but fun. :)

    February 25, 2014 at 4:29 pm #994588
    consularrider
    Participant

    Can we please be in front of the US Park Police horse mounted unit?

    February 26, 2014 at 2:17 am #994665
    PeteD
    Participant

    @culimerc 78240 wrote:

    Try Willow.

    Actually that was the plan. :)

    –Pete

    February 27, 2014 at 6:31 am #994768
    cvcalhoun
    Participant

    I’d be interested.

    February 28, 2014 at 11:54 am #994880
    Tim Kelley
    Participant

    Thanks to everyone who wants to come out. Between the kids from Phoenix Bikes and the folks at Car Free Diet, we should be well represented.

    The Point of Contact for our group on Tuesday will be Renee Cianciolo and she can be reached at 862.432.8985. She’ll have the beads and candy for you to throw. Load up and don’t throw out too much too early!

    Here are the staging details for Tuesday night:

    Welcome to the Mardi Gras Parade! It looks like it’s going to be chilly, so please dress for the weather.

    Arlington’s Car Free Diet is number 9 in the parade order. You will be in staging area 1, which is on the south side of Wilson Boulevard between N. Barton and North Adams Street. If you have a vehicle, you can enter your staging area by entering from Wilson Blvd, or if you are coming down Clarendon Blvd, by making a left turn on N. Adams Street, and then left onto Wilson Blvd. See the diagram below.

    If you are a marching group, we ask you to keep your group on the sidewalk, so there is less congestion and it makes it easier for vehicles and parade floats to enter. Also, remember there is NO Parking on Wilson Blvd starting at 5pm, so you will have to arrange for your own group’s parking or transportation.

    Parade staging starts at 7 pm on March 4, and you should plan to be in place by 7:30. We should have volunteers to help you find your spot in the lineup. The parade will start promptly at 8pm.

    There are three important points to be made about parade etiquette this year.

    1. We want to keep even spacing this year—keep a couple of car lengths between groups, so mind the gap in front of you, but look to the rear as well! If the group behind you is falling behind, you should slow down as well. The group ahead of you should notice this, and they should slow down as well, and eventually the big gaps will disappear. We want to keep the parade moving, but safely, and without any major gaps.

    2. Arlington Police have asked us to use barrels and tape to define the parade route. If you have throws, THROW THEM OVER THE YELLOW TAPE INTO THE CROWD. Do not stop to hand out cards etc.—keep moving!

    3. At the end of the Parade, turn right at Liberty Tavern and keep going! If you have a vehicle, you should proceed carefully down N. Irving and make a turn on 13th Street N. (Note to those unfamiliar with Clarendon–a left turn on N. 13th will get you back to Washington Blvd.

    Any questions?

  • Author
    Replies
Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 45 total)
1 2 3
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.