Friday, March 29, 2024
Miles from the Mainstream
D. R. ZUKERMAN, proprietor
What a Great Parade in Hartford!

APRIL 22, 2004 --

LPR, having traveled to Hartford, Conn., April 18 for the UConn Victory Parade honoring the unprecedented twin tournament triumphs of the men's and women's basketball teams, herewith are some photographic impressions of that very warm for April day.

About an hour before the parade was to step off (the parade got underway about half an hour beyond the 1:30 P.M. announced start) large crowds had already taken positions along the parade route. LPR noticed a young boy carting his hand-made sign Huskie artwork. This was right after the LPR camera drew some waves from people awaiting the festivities on Capitol Avenue.

LPR thanks the Greater Hartford Arts Council and the MetroHartford Alliance - parade organizers-- for the "All Access" credentials that permitted LPR to take pictures on State Capitol grounds and also along part of the parade route. The "All Access" card got LPR, camera and Shana on the Capitol grounds where it could snap away, including photos of the UConn Cheerleaders limbering up, and of the covered up license plate on one of the double-decker buses that would take the basketball teams along the parade route -- a Springfield, Massachusetts-based bus.

Not that anyone would have noticed the license plates -- or cared if they were out-of-state. This throng was out in force to cheer their men's and women's Division I NCAA basketball teams, and cheer, indeed, roar, they did, as soon as the buses were spotted leaving Capitol grounds and proceeding down Trinity Street to the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch.

Cutting back to the Capitol along Elm Street, LPR noticed banners on light poles announcing that "The Producers" would be playing at the Bushnell, from August 24 to September 5. This Mel Brooks musical is in its fourth year and has sent a strong softball team to the Broadway Show League, having won its championship in 2001 and 2002.

A soft-drink oasis seemed to be doing a thriving business on Elm, and LPR thanks the proprietors for letting Shana have some of their Igloo ice water-- as they had run out of bottled water. Back on Capitol grounds, Shana settled down next to the throng, and LPR went to the platform in search of photo ops, including Charlie Villanueva with camera, Diana Taurasi thanking fans on behalf of her teammates, and Coach Calhoun, acknowledging cheers from the crowd on word that he would throw out the first ball in Boston's Fenway Park the next day, before the game between the Red Sox and the New York Yankees. (The Red Sox battled back from being down 4-1 to win the game, 5-4. LPR has learned that Coach Auriemma grew up a Phillies fan, and still roots for them, as well as for the Red Sox. Perhaps the Phillies ought to ask the coach of the women's national basketball champions to give them a lift by throwing out a first ball, as well.)

After the celebration, LPR caught sight of Coach Calhoun signing a few autographs before he drove away, careful to avoid UConn tuba players.

As Governor Rowland was effectively docked -- not at all present -- Lt. Gov. M. Jodi Rell was the highest state official, and, accordingly the first speaker, at the rally. Groans, perhaps even some boos, from the crowd on news that several other politicians would speak perhaps encouraged the shortest series of statements from pols in state history, possibly. (If UConn attends the summer's political gatherings in Boston and New York, the conclaves would be done with their work in a day's time, clearly.)


They sure did!


Pennants for the masses.


UConn-grats!


Site of Geno Auriemma's new restaurant due to open in the near future.


Fans applaud the passing champions.


Waving to LPR.


UConn rocks!


Shana rests while LPR "snaps away."


UConn Cheerleaders limbering up prior to the parade.


"No Mass"- Peter Pan's double decker bus with Mass. plate covered.


"The Producers" banners with the State Capitol as their backdrop.


A parade oasis.


Charlie Villanueva.


Diana Taurasi thanking the fans.


Coach Calhoun waving as it is announced he will throw out the first ball at Fenway Park the next day.


The fans come first.


Coach Calhoun avoiding the tuba section of the Pep Band.