Uncertainty clouds future of RI’s satirical parade – The Providence Journal

Rhode Island's most politically incorrect Independence Day tradition packed the narrow sidewalks of Chepachet Village for the 91st consecutive year Tuesday with a touch of existential uncertainty mixing in with the usual supply of patriotism and irreverence.

GLOCESTER, R.I. "Save Our Parade," read a sign on the first truck rolling down Putnam Pike Tuesday in the annual Ancients & Horribles Parade. "Donate to Bucket Brigade."

Rhode Island's most politically incorrect Independence Day tradition packed the narrow sidewalks of Chepachet Village for the 91st consecutive year Tuesday with a touch of existential uncertainty mixing in with the usual supply of patriotism and irreverence.

Faced with a shortage of volunteers, parade committee ChairmanMichael DeGrange has warned the event might not go on in 2018 if more people don't join in to help raise money, line up sponsors and organize.

"We'll see after this is over and we have our meeting," DeGrange said about the parade's future from the finishing line. "If we get enough volunteers I will stay on for another couple of years. We don't have the budget like Bristol."

DeGrange, who took over running the parade five years ago when a change in leadership forced a scramble to keep the parade going,said he needs to at least double the 10 adult volunteers involved next year.

Held each year since 1926, the Ancients & Horribles Parade's often rough take on the politics of the day reflects the independent streak of this rural corner of the state, but can be a hurdle to creating institutional support.

Fans of the parade admit that some satirical floats may push the limits of taste, but say that's what free speech is about.

"You have to express your freedom of speech," said DeGrange. "That's why we are here."

Along the parade route, spectators said the down-to-earth, grass-roots spontaneity of the Ancients & Horribles adds to its appeal.

"Everything is unique," said Eleanor Lafazia, of Warwick. "It doesn't look like it was over organized, which is what we like."

"It's part of the fun," said Jeannine Shaw, of Glocester, about the political satire in the parade. "It would be a shame if it went away."

"I'd cry," said Nancy Angell, also of Warwick, about a July 4 without the parade. "What else would I do?"

The subjects of this year's satire were numerous and bipartisan.

A potential deal for a new Pawtucket Red Sox stadium appeared on a few signs, but by far the most frequent target of abuse was the proposed Invenergy power plant in neighboring Burrillville, which drew several groups of protesters.

On the national side, a "Chepachet Fake News" float adorned with Twitter logos carried a mock White House press briefing room podium complete with a Sean Spicer impersonator.

"Record-breaking crowd at parade," a sign on the float said.

The General Assembly's four-day-old budget impasse inspired a large sign with likenesses of House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello and Senate President Dominick Ruggerio doing battle. "Taxpayers in the crossfire," it said underneath.

Even internal state Republican Party politics made the parade, with a float asking for GOP Rep. Michael Chippendale, who represents Glocester, to get his place back on the House Oversight Committee.

Recent years have seen complaints about parade trucks flying the Confederate flag, and again this year the flag was present on two vehicles.

"Anyone who is not going to sponsor the parade because of this, we don't need," said Steve Bemis, driver of an antique tractor with one of the flags.

"It's part of our country," said Brian Baxter, driver of a pickup truck with another.

panderson@providencejournal.com

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On Twitter: @PatrickAnderso_

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Uncertainty clouds future of RI's satirical parade - The Providence Journal