I love a parade!

It seems like notable achievements in the advancement of civil rights have been kind of few and far between lately.

• JANUARY 2009: Inauguration of Barack Obama, America's first black president.
• JANUARY 2010: "Pants On The Ground"

So I went to the annual Martin Luther King Day parade yesterday for some perspective and to celebrate the life and accomplishments of one America's greatest heroes. I took some pictures and here they are...

Every good parade is required to have certain key elements. A color guard...


Cops on motorcycles doing that synchronized, serpentine thing (I think motorcycle cops should ride that way all the time; it would make the apprehension of speeders much more entertaining)...

Floats (I think this one is sponsored by the Baby Crib Manufacturers Union)...

Royalty in convertibles...

And marching bands.

But it's not really a good parade until somebody has blue teeth.

Everybody knows the wings are the best part of the trout!

You know, if you're a white person, you really don't think about how many white people are around...until there aren't that many white people around.

Among the dignitaries present were Hillsborough County Commissioner (and my Facebook buddy) Kevin Beckner...

Tampa mayor (and my IKEA buddy who was featured in a certain documentary film) Pam Iorio...

Tampa Chief of Police Jane Castor...

County Commissioner Kevin White (booooo)...

And candidate for White's District 3 spot on the county commission Valerie Goddard (YAY!!)

Also, State representative candidate Janet Cruz's team of volunteers helped a lady who had apparently gotten lost on her way to the airport.

Best. Beads. EVER! EVER!!

I have no idea what Chris Chambers was doing there, but it was nice that he came by.

I have never caught anything in a crowd. Beads at parades, foul balls at baseball games, t-shirts, whatever...until yesterday. Somebody on a float threw these and I caught one. That's right: It's the world's smallest Tootsie Pop. Jealous?

Some sweet rides were on display.

Here's proof that all cultures appreciate the contributions made to our society by Dr. Martin Luther King. Even fish.

Seriously, great occasion, great celebration.