By Gary Malicki
Keeping in mind that I’m still relatively new to living here, I anxiously sized up the list of the Mardi Gras weekend festival events and thought to myself that I really need to get to Saturday’s parade. Since this was my very first time I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect.
I gathered up the troops (my wife & son) and by 6:20pm we were walking down Jefferson Street to Washington full of anticipation. As we rounded the corner, a growing crowd of observers lined both sides of the street and sounds of sirens and loud horns, courtesy of the Ellicottville Fire Department, wailed by to set the tone.
I honestly felt privileged to attend this small slice of Americana. Looking beyond the theme of Mardi Gras, this event was a great way to showcase our community and display an awareness of some of the clubs and groups that add to Ellicottville’s quaint ambiance.
We staked our claim on the street with the beautifully lit ‘Ski Tree’ behind us. Next in line behind the screaming fire trucks, was a small vehicle float featuring the parade’s Grand Marshal, none other than Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog that was likely responsible for the 6 to 8 inches of snow that fell the day before, no doubt to the delight of skiers. Just as the famous rodent passed by, the eagle-eyed wife noticed a shiny round object left in the street. “I must have that” I thought to myself and sent my son to retrieve it as I was too shy to do it. After all, considering all the things you do for your kids, there comes a time when they owe you a few favors. Much to my amazement I became the owner of an official Groundhog Day commemorative coin. What a prize! Later, I coaxed a parade participant to present the wife with a string of beads. Who says jewelry has to be expensive? It was the least I could do to repay her for spotting that coin.
One community group after another filed by displaying a sense of pride you could see in their faces and it was in their smiles and waves to the visitors and residents who proudly watched on both sides of the parade route. From the Holiday Valley Rangers to the members of the Ski Patrol to representatives of HoliMont’s Phoenix program and many more. Even a little brass ensemble and drummer entertained everyone walking with the folks from Villaggio. Also represented were groups from some of the businesses that help drive our local economy like Steelbound and Ellicottville Brewing Co.
There were minions and I think I also spotted a dancing ‘Furby’ (remember those?). But the icing on the cake for me was the opportunity to do a high five with a giant polar bear! This really was a wonderful family-friendly event and kudos to the organizers.
And a personal Thank You, Ellicottville…for making me feel like a kid again…for just a little while.