Flag Day 2007

From the Register-Star, Monday, Jun 11th, 2007, "When the Parade (and the party) is over"

"The previous day's festivities left confetti and trampled grass on the shore of the Hudson River, confirming the word on the street -- no one puts on a party like Hudson."

Well, that's true.

Looking back, yes, we could have marched in Flag Day. We, GayHudson.com, would have definitely been booed....or most people would have ignored us, or not known who we are.

And yes, it would have been good for the 10 year old gay boys and girls in Hudson to see normal, everyday 'g&l's.

And yes, if the same bunch of us showed up at the party on the waterfront afterwards, we would be risking violence.

As it turns out, as soon as my group walked over the wooden bridge, over the railroad tracks, we witnessed a huge brawl of a fight which seemed to include dozens of people. Is was a mass of people fighting, moving down the hill.

It was a little scary.

People were hitting each other with their light-up swords.

But, I guess that happens.

During the parade itself, as I was buying a Diet Coke, the woman selling it to me had to stop and stand as the Revolutionary/Civil/WWII War re-enactment float passed by.

"You have to stand for that one," she said to me, referring to the float.

I didn't see an Iraq War re-enactment float, but maybe it's just too early...

GoArmy.com had a booth.

A friend of mine, from South America, came with me to the party on the waterfront.

There were a few straight guys in front of a baseball pitch tent.

"Throw faster than this kid, and you win $5. The first throw is free, it's practice." The kid was about 13.

My friend, who HAS NEVER THROWN A BASEBALL IN HIS LIFE, threw one faster than the 13-year old boy.

My friend looked at me, and said "Wow! I threw faster than him."

So, I thought, OK, let's try it.

I said, "What's the deal?" The guy looked at me and said, "If you can throw faster than him, you win $5. Just give me the $5 in advance, we hold onto it, and then we see who can throw faster."

I looked at my friend, I said, "No. This is a scam. You've never thrown a baseball in your life, and on the 'free practice throw' you can throw faster than this kid? This is a scam."

My friend looked at me and said, "Oh my God, you're right.....I fell for it....I'm such a bottom."

I saved the five dollars for some "Fried Dough".

PS - we do have video, we will be posting as soon as it's ready...