The Horribles

As Thomas Pynchon preached, for every force, there is a counter-force. Thus it should come as no surprise that the state-sanctioned respectful and patriotic Fourth-of-July parade has a dark doppelganger, in the form of the Horribles Parade.

The origin of these mocking, satirical festivals goes back well over a century. In Rhode Island, my home state, the affair is called The Ancient and Horribles parade. You can read about our version here.

In nearby Massachusetts, the town of Beverly Farms staged one that recently generated some controversy, with a float dedicated to the teen-pregnancy pact that was recently all over the news.

Read about reactions to their float here.

You can see the float in this video at about the two-and-a-half-minute mark.

     Posted By: Paul - Tue Jul 08, 2008
     Category: Art | Performance Art | Customs | Parades and Festivals | School | Sexuality





Comments
Too much satire is never enough!
Posted by Paul on 07/09/08 at 10:02 AM
We're a small state, but full of great things! You'll have to pay a visit home some day....
Posted by Paul on 07/09/08 at 10:03 AM
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