Red, black and green were the colors that blanketed the streets of Harlem on Sunday afternoon. The 37th annual African American Day Parade took place along Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Boulevard from 111th Street to 142nd Street.
The weather couldn’t have been more perfect for a parade. It was comfortably warm enough for spectators to enjoy the entertaining marching bands, the dignified African American organizations like 100 Black Men and the NAACP, and the floats from commercial radio stations like Hot 97 and Power 105.
Among the familiar faces were Rep. Charles Rangel and former Mayor David Dinkins, Roger Toussaint of the transportation worker’s union, rapper Remy Ma, and American Idol Fantasia Barrino. But the real star of the day was the Harlem sensation “Chicken Noodle Soup”. As the Hot 97 float rode past kids started jerking and popping to the sounds of DJ Webstar’s hit song, while singing along to the infectious lyrics “chicken noodle soup, chicken noodle soup, chicken noodle soup“.
I was able to enjoy the parade near Graham Court, close to the starting point where the bands and floats queue up. Since the ending time was advertised at 6:30 p.m. (though we know the parade often goes overtime until about 8 p.m.) we left the parade before dark to get a bite to eat at Melba’s (review to follow). Fortunately we were far enough downtown and left early enough to avoid the unfortunate series of events that followed the parade,which ultimately ruined a perfect afternoon in Harlem.
UPTOWN flavor was able to capture great video footage and photos of the parade which we will be uploading later. In the meantime, check out a selection of shots over on Greasy Guide.
Related: NorthJersey.com [website] :: Post :: Amsterdam News ::
me
September 22, 2006
Non-supportive…typical, typical, typical reaction. All you know is what five O said or what some news outlet reported. Did you see the shooting? were you there? were you one of the victims? a family member of the victims? If not, shut the..#%##%. There was not (that I saw and I was definitely looking) one single story in the news about the AA Day parade and the celebration of one race of people (who happen to be black). The only thing we heard about was a quick 15 sec or 3 line story about a “shooting” in Harlem on the day of the parade. I can remember past year’s mayhem at the Puerto Rican & Gay Pride parades but at least they were STILL able to get coverage of their parades and people enjoying the festivities. WE CAN’T EVEN GET THAT!
uptownflavor
September 20, 2006
I typically don’t respond to comments because I am busy creating positive content for the site, however I am quite surprised that a wrap up of the parade (not covered by the major media outlets by the way) has become such a controversial topic of conversation. I love it!!! Thanks for reading and I look forward to reading more of your thought provoking comments on the other stories we cover.
-Editor-
Anonymous
September 20, 2006
Flavor does seem to diminish truth (when it’s ugly) and reflects negatively on a community. Is it focusing on the negative or simply speaking truth? 3 people shot? Thank god no one died, but easily could have. And this is nothing new, Shooting at the Harlem Parade.
Would any responsible parent allow their children to engage, observe, etc. any event with a track record of annual shootings? Think about it.
If the Macy’s Parade had regular/annual shootings…do you think that would be accepted or tolerated or diminished? Note the 2 standards. Shootings have become a general and predictable part of that parade. Ever heard of a politican stepping up and raising any concern over this? a single commuity leader?
There’s only 3 things in life you can count on, 1) death, 2) taxes, 3) shooting at the Harlem Parade.
Anonymous
September 19, 2006
Right, anonymous. I find your comments to be equally as “offensive.” Let’s attack the writer who actually said something positive about the parade and didn’t dwell on the negative events that took place AFTER the parade. I bet the same thing happened with the people with guns…they attacked innocent bystanders who were simply enjoying themselves AFTER the parade ended. Also, how do you know what “class” someone is? Do you work for the IRS?
How do you know the shooters or the victims weren’t “middle-class?”
Do middle-class people go to parades in Harlem???
Can poor people eat at Melba’s for a special occasion???
Can we post comments without hiding our identity?
All these questions and more….
anonymous
September 19, 2006
I’m sorry, this post was really offensive. It’s more than a little disingenuous to obliquely refer to a series of shootings where three people were sent to the hospital as an “unfortunate series of events”, as if they occurred in a Lemony Snicket book.
Why do people need to bring guns to a parade? Why did they need to shoot at others? Were they in any danger? Is randomly shooting strangers considered acceptable behavior by the community? Were there any witnesses? Will those witnesses come forth and give a description of the criminals? Why is there societal pressure in Harlem to not cooperate with the police? Why should I, as a Harlem resident, put my life in harm’s way by watching a parade? All these questions you could have asked, but no, you went to Melba’s (review coming!) and had a great time. A few people were shot, but you’re middle class and they’re probably poor so it doesn’t really matter.
reefinyateef
September 19, 2006
I actually missed out on most of the parade this year. My wife and I strolled through the vendors on 125th betweenn Lenox and Adam Clayton, but then we couldn’t even turn up Adam Clayton cause there was a huge mass of people. I think it’s cause we got there a little late – aroundn 6 or so probably. I did get to see my man Red Alert on the Power 105 float though. They were playing ‘One For All’, and I swear I thought Bran Nubian were about to come out and do it live
Reader091906
September 19, 2006
Wow, you obviously didn’t attend this year’s parade because I actually saw a parade this year. I know in years past the parade has been disappointing but I think most people who attended this year will agree that it has improved ten fold. Also, if we are going to be critical, let’s try to offer some pro-active solutions for improving future parades. I’m sure the committee will appreciate any and all suggestions you have to offer.
Anonymous
September 19, 2006
Can we be honest? The so-called parade is terrible, as parades go. Floats of Garbage trucks with sanitation workers strolling down the street? C’mon….
Shootings have become a parade staple too. Happens every year. People in regular clothes walking in that parade out number legitimate pardade type of participants 8 to 1.
It’s become a bad joke, a “ghetto version” of a parade, floats that are not, costumes missing, etc…