Red Sox Parade Day, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

As has been the recent tradition, when one of Boston's sports teams wins the championship, the city holds a gala parade. On the day of the recent Boston Red Sox's Celebration Parade, Ramblin' Dan, the One-Man-Band, was out singing to the crowd of passersby in the Public Garden. He gives new meaning to the idea of "dressing for work." He's often there whether or not there is a parade.

And the t-shirt vendors were doing a brisk business. Note the blue shirt at upper left - "I support two teams, Boston, and whoever beats New York." That succinctly describes the long-standing sports rivalry between the two cities.

Boston takes their Champions seriously. After a dearth of 86 years, the Red Sox have won the World Series three times in ten years. (And yes, it is rather presumptuous to call it the "World" series when the only teams competing are from the United States and Canada).

Even the venerable Wilbur Theatre changed their marquee to pay tribute to the Sox. The Wilbur opened in 1915. Before the Sox won the championship in 2004, the last time had been in 1918. 

But at the end of the parade, the streets are quickly cleaned by the Public Works folks.  I've always wondered, why does the Mayor have to put his name on a truck like this?  And now that Boston just elected a new Mayor for the first time in 20 years, will they have to change the name on all the trucks? I don't live in Boston but, I guess the taxpayers there don't mind. On the other hand, perhaps I should just mind my own business..........