There'll be a parade, but this year there won't be a parade party.

This Saturday afternoon, expect to see plenty of 18-wheelers roaring haphazardly down Oak and Culbertson Streets, because it's Harvest Homecoming parade day. Spring Street is the parade route, and Main Street remains closed for additional deforestation as it is, and is not, transformed into NOT a bike path, NOT an impediment to speeding vehicles of all sizes, and NOT at all what it's cracked up to be, millions of dollars later, but what the hell -- it wasn't OUR money, was it?

Previewing the colorful floats on lovely residential Spring Street at this year's Harvest Homecoming parade.

Perhaps Harvest Homecoming's orange-clad downtown monopolists will bow to the reality of Spring Street as city hall's preferred "Interstate BR549," and adopt a new and contemporary theme: "We (HEART) Truck Through City."

Meanwhile, as for the parade itself, I have both good and bad news.

First the good news.

See, parades really can be creative and enjoyable -- just not here. Poperinge? That's another story.

The bad news: The usual grousing malcontents will have no porch to inhabit, because we're hitting the pause button on what would have been the 10th annual parade gathering hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Confidential at their domicile on East Spring Street, world headquarters of the 1117 East Spring Neighborhood Association.

For one thing, we have a wedding to attend later in the day. For another, NA Confidential's forthcoming birthday party on October 24 is more deserving of limited cerebral preparation time.

No, I have not converted, but there'll be a momentous anniversary celebration on October 24, 2014.

Speaking for myself, I intend to peruse the parade from the comfortable confines of Bank Street Brewhouse, which will be open and pouring on Saturday. That's because it takes lots of BEER to live HERE, doesn't it?

Why am I still here? Because I'm not quite there. Yet.

Being there is why I'm here?

No offense against the State Farm agent, but as we watched the float roll past on Saturday, there was immediate collective recall of Dave Thrasher's slogan -- you know, the one that would have served New Albany's utterly squandered bicentennial so much more cleverly than "By the River's Edge."

No, not "At Sanity's Edge." That one was mine.

It this one: "We're all here because we're not all there."

My, my. What might have been -- if only the white bread and school paste brigade hadn't gotten hold of it. Year Zero ends in less than three months. Finally: relief.

The Suck Truck, two-way Safety Town, Showtime, and other highlights of a very wet parade day in New Albany.

New Albany's Suck Truck undoubtedly was the high point of yesterday's rain-soaked parade. It would have been better if the Suck Truck followed the Republican Party float, better to vacuum the policy turds ... but you can't have it all, and the tired white GOP grandees refused to take a bow, anyway.

We couldn't help notice that Safety Town has two-way streets. The only question is whether City Hall has yet spotted it.

Later in the day, it was Showtime at the Art Store, and we arrived just in time to hear Dream Eye Color Wheel open its set.

Tony Beard heroically manned the NABC taps ... and as I write at 8:45 a.m. on Sunday morning, it's still raining. You got the Arc? We got the beer.

9th annual NAC Harvest Homecoming Parade gala, non-bicentennial edition, is this Saturday, October 5.

As the view above from parade day 2008 wholly implies, the tradition lives on.

Saturday (October 5) will be the 9th such Harvest Homecoming parade gathering hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Confidential at their domicile on East Spring Street, world headquarters of the 1117 East Spring Neighborhood Association.

This time, HH is importing Scribners from far and wide in order to reinforce yet again what our flawed and disposable bicentennial shouldn't ever have been about -- what, none of them could bear the thought of remaining in the hometown of their veneration?

But Bob Caesar's grinning, and when Buddha smiles, the rest of us reach for our air(head) sickness bags.

Back to the parade party: You're invited to drop by and say hello. As noted oft times before, there’ll be craft draft beer (probably NABC's Strassen Bräu) and a place to watch the parade, which begins around 12:00 noon, although we'll be available from 10:00 a.m. or so for the usual slider brunch.

Beer snacks are welcomed, but because we'll move the celebration downtown immediately after the parade concludes, there is no need to bring a dish or more complicated foodstuffs. You may need to bring a camp chair. If there is rain, we may remain huddled on the porch. With beer. We will drink the whole day through, and contemplate alternative universes where the streets run both ways.

If you're an anonymous commentator from another blog, you're welcomed, too, but you must wear a paper sack over your head to preserve the fiction. Hint: The one with protruding Chesterfield is Erika herself.

Another successful parade day party entertains parade participants.

Contrary to expectations, the GOP float did not take a detour down the alley between 13th and 11th streets.

Thanks to Matt Nash for the photo, and thanks to everyone who stopped by. Now that the election can be decided on the basis of keeping their Mitts off Big Bird, we can breathe easy, although it's too bad a simple Commie like me is compelled to educate Dave Matthews on parade day as to his own political identity.

Signs I'd like to have for the parade party tomorrow -- we're working on it.

The eighth NAC Harvest Homecoming Parade Voyeur Society gala is this Saturday, Oct. 6.

The tradition lives on. Saturday will be the 8th such gathering hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Confidential at their domicile on East Spring Street, world headquarters of the 1117 East Spring Neighborhood Association.

You're invited to drop by and say hi. As noted many times before, there’ll be craft draft beer and a place to watch the parade, which begins around 12:00 noon, although we'll be available from 10:00 a.m. or so for the usual slider brunch.

Beer snacks are welcomed, but because we'll move the celebration downtown immediately after the parade concludes, there is no need to bring a dish or more complicated foodstuffs. You may need to bring a camp chair, although admittedly the current weather forecast calls for cool and rain, and we may remain huddled on the porch. With beer.

If you're an anonymous commentator from another blog, you're welcomed, too, but you must wear a paper sack over your head to preserve the fiction.

A dollop of parade day politics.

Democratic mayoral nominee and his family were out in front on the party's float.

Jack Messer, independent candidate for mayor, was suitably Bulldog red and black all over. Hmm, that "New Albany First" tag ... where have I seen it before?

Strange. Surely accidental, like when George Harrison unwittingly used someone else's ideas in "My Sweet Lord" -- you know, that whole born again thing.

Who is this, the Darwinian Party candidate? Tea Party? Libertarian? Or just good old fashioned gorilla logic?

Everybody loves a parade, right?

Only at Harvest Homecoming and Confederate Railroad shows do we tolerate outhouses and hillbillies as symbols of a bright, glowing future.

Sending in the troops to quell New Albanian dissent seemed a bit over the top, but then again, St. Daniels didn't seem very comfortable at the press conference on Friday.

Fortunately, there was music. Unfortunately, although these up and coming young ravers can rock the Casbah, they can't play the waterfront because they're too loud. Ouch.

The fans rallied on the steps of the 1117 East Spring Street Neighborhood Association. There was beer.

During a parade themed "Wild About Autumn," the Shriners had their multi-humped camel ...

... but just about the only real animals came through at the very end, probably because neither the committee nor the city could afford a handful of mobile pooper scoopers.

From outhouses to the oxen of Flintstones ... another year, and another Harvest Homecoming parade day party.

Saturday, October 1 is going to be a fun day in New Albany.

For one, there'll be a renewal of the Harvest Homecoming parade party institution (in a local election year, no less) at the Confidential domicile. 2011 will be the seventh edition, and for complete information, merely change the date in last year's preview to October 1, and read:

Let's protest tolls, heckle 1Si, and drink beer at NAC's Harvest Homecoming Parade Gala at 1117 ESSNA.

October 1 also is the day NABC has chosen to release ThunderFoot 22-oz bomber bottles for carry-out purchase by the general public. ThunderFoot bombers will be available all day on the 1st (only!) at both NABC locations, and if there's any left over, Southern Indiana commercial accounts get the next stab, then our friends at Cavalier Distributing Inc.

But there's even more. After the NAC bash and parade has concluded, there'll be a pig roast (all ages, with burgers and hot dogs, too) and an NABC cash beer bar at Something Different II on 3rd Street by the floodwall. A percentage of the proceeds from beer sales will go to 1st District Councilman Dan Coffey's annual Christmas Party for children in his neighborhood.

Plan on a moveable feast: 1117 East Spring Street Neighborhood Association for the parade, a stroll to Something Different for food and drink, and then an afternoon/night cap at Bank Street Brewhouse and carry-out ThunderFoot. Verily, Gregg Seidl might graft the events of the day onto his walking accounts of nefarious (or ironic) New Albany.

Photo essay: The difference between 1989 and 2010.

Tank Man of Tiananmen Square, China, 1989.

Toll Man of East Spring Street, Indiana, 2010.

In both locales, One Party leadership remained oblivious.

The End.

HH parade revisited.

Parade beer, frivolity as we plot Saturday agitprop.

Remember: Let's protest tolls, heckle 1Si, and drink beer at NAC's 6th annual Harvest Homecoming Parade Gala at 1117 ESSNA -- this Saturday, Oct. 2.

Pete at DRC says: "Plenty of YES signs available, and I'll print 12x18 NO TOLLS posters for anyone who wants them."

Both yes and no ... I like that. What shall we transmit to Pete? There needs to be coordination of our uncoordinated effort on Saturday as we propagandize the parade route!

Ideas? Slogans?

Hmm, wonder if I still have the "No Blood for 1Si" sign somewhere ...

Let's protest tolls, heckle 1Si, and drink beer at NAC's 6th annual Harvest Homecoming Parade Gala at 1117 ESSNA -- this Saturday, Oct. 2.

For a while there, it seemed as though we might not be able to do it ... but because the NuLu fest committee got protective and intemperate, certain dominoes began falling, and now I can happily announce that the tradition lives on.

Saturday (October 2) will be the 6th annual Harvest Homecoming parade viewing party hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Confidential at their domicile on East Spring Street, home of the world's largest condom machine, which eliminates the need for membership dues at the 1117 East Spring Neighborhood Association.

If you're reading, you're invited to drop by. As noted many times before, there’ll be craft beer and a place to watch the parade, which will NOT again include NABC representation in the form of Rosa L. Stumblebus and our usual fire truck, because we decided there was too much going on, at least until the NuLu fest committee got medieval with us (see above) and we retracted.

Stay tuned this week as we formulate ways to be clever and greet tolling proponents as they ride past on their floats. It stands to be a wonderful opportunity to protest tolls, denounce 1Si's coup d'etat, and drink good beer all the while.

As in 2009, we'll probably move the 1117 celebration downtown after the parade, largely eliminating evening hours at the house as a result. But that's okay, because these days, New Albany actually HAS a downtown.

1117 will be open from around 10:00 a.m. (White Castle breakfast). Please bring morning/afternoon beer snacks, non-alcoholic drinks as needed, a sitting apparatus if desired, and we’ll improvise the rest. The draft lineup will be composed of partial kegs from NABC Grant Line. Trust me; I've been saving that last Rodenbach Grand Cru for a reason.

We hope to see readers this Saturday. If you're an anonymous commentator from another blog, you're welcomed, too, but must wear a paper sack over your head to preserve the fiction.

2009: Harvest Homecoming Parade, the annual parade party, and Day One of Fringe Fest.

2008: 4th annual NAC HH parade party is tomorrow.

2007: A few parade views.

2006: Time for just one more -- beer, not parade float.

2005: Volunteer Hoosier notes that extremist venom rained on at least part of the Harvest Homecoming Parade.

Harvest Homecoming Parade, the annual parade party, and Day One of Fringe Fest.

Thanks to Ted for the video. I took the photos. From the top down:

Front porch politburo (1117 E. Spring Street Neighborhood Association); atop NABC's fire truck on a gorgeous parade day; Bank Street Brewhouse patrons watch the parade pass by as the cash register numbers spin (thanks to Bob Caesar for that one); new Tony Beard placard artwork on the north patio of the brewhouse; The Outfit jazzing it up into the evening.

5th annual NAC Harvest Homecoming parade party is Saturday!

Saturday (October 3) will be the 5th annual Harvest Homecoming parade viewing party hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Confidential at their domicile on East Spring Street.

World's largest condom machine to eliminate the need for membership dues at the 1117 East Spring Neighborhood Association.

As noted many times before, there’ll be craft beer and a place to watch the parade, which will again include NABC representation in the form of Rosa L. Stumblebus and our usual fire truck.

The big change this year ...

Because NABC will be kicking off Fringe Fest with Jazz on the Patio just after the conclusion of the parade, we'll move the 1117 celebration downtown accordingly, eliminating evening hours as a result.

1117 will be open from around 10:00 a.m. (White Castle breakfast). Please bring morning/afternoon beer snacks, non-alcoholic drinks as needed, a sitting apparatus if desired, and we’ll improvise the rest. The draft lineup will be composed of partial kegs from NABC Grant Line. Trust me.

Hope to see readers ths Saturday. If you're an anonymous commentator from another blog, you're welcomed, too, but must wear a paper sack over your head to preserve the fiction.

NABC's Fringe Fest set for Oct. 3rd, 4th, and the 6th through the 10th -- all at the Bank Street Brewhouse.

4th annual NAC HH parade party is tomorrow.

Tomorrow (Saturday, October 4) is the annual Harvest Homecoming parade, and accordingly, tomorrow is the annual parade viewing party hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Confidential.

As noted earlier this week, there’ll be craft beer and a place to watch the parade, which will include NABC representation for the very first time in the form of the fire truck we used for the St. Paddy’s Day parade in Louisville last spring. I won’t have time to cook this year, so bring beer snacks and we’ll improvise. Someone should warn Hing Wang (or La Rosita's) to stock up.

If readers are in the neighborhood before (11:00 am) during and after the parade (until circa 7:00 pm), feel free to drop in, say hello and have a beer. On the draft lineup is Pilsner Urquell, Monk's Cafe Flemish Sour Red, and Sierra Nevada Harvest Ale.

Hope to see some of you tomorrow.

A few parade views.

Harvest Homecoming's 40th anniversary parade passed by the house yesterday, and we were ready with beer, chili and cigars.

1st district councilman Dan Coffey, who was nowhere to be seen atop the Democratic Party's float, instead donned his Sunday best in celebration of the Gang of Four's academic achievement.

Meanwhile, GOP chairman Dave Matthews assembled his scant flock of aspirants, and most of them were facing "left" while passing NAC Party Central.

Here's a view of Democratic mayoral candidate Doug England.

Thanks to everyone who turned out for the bash.

Here it is: The official parade party slogan for 2007.

In a manner of speaking ... from the front porch ... next Saturday.

Yes, it's that time again.


In the fall of 2006, we removed the ancient draft beer box beneath the bar at the Public House and installed a new one.

The old one, which had been in place since 1992, was still functional, but because of corrosion and leakage, it became impossible to use indoors. Our worker at the time built two sets of casters and rolled it out the back door, where it remained parked, fully exposed to the weather and scrap metal thieves, throughout the winter and into 2007.

That is, until a month ago, when I paid my itinerant handyman an unspecified sum to move the keg box to my garage for the ostensible aim of rehabbing it in preparation for the annual NA Confidential Harvest Homecoming Parade Party at my home.

Life promptly intruded, and just yesterday I finally remembered to plug in the venerable appliance and see if it actually still worked. I’m delighted to report that she’s cooling as I write. All that's needed is a good scrubbing.

And so …

Saturday, October 6 is the date for this year’s HHPP at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Confidential. If you know us well enough to know where we live, and if you’re not embarrassed at the prospect of being spotted drinking beer on the porch with me, you’re a default invitee.

Festivities will start circa 10:00 a.m. with the institution of cigars, White Castles (jalapeno cheese) and espresso as we watch the city workers prepare the parade route. The taps will be open during this time, as it is well known that somewhere in the world, it’s after 12 noon.

This year’s draft beer selection will be NABC Bob’s Old 15-B (porter); Bluegrass Brewing Company (Main & Clay) Oktoberfest, and our traditional Poperings Hommel Ale from Belgium. A fourth surprise may be on tap if it arrives in time.

Please bring a beer snack. There will be a main course of yet to be determined food, likely a pot of vegetarian chili, and day-long grazing. Anything that goes well with beer is eligible.

If you’re in the parade itself, stop by for adult refreshments afterward. There’ll be bottles of Sprecher sodas for non-alcoholic thirst quenching.

As a final note, please contribute your suggestion for the wording on our banner this year.

The best suggestion yet was inspired by last year’s plan (sadly, we didn’t follow through) to actually have a “stealth” float in the parade, seemingly innocuous, but at the last moment (a la “Animal House”) to reveal that we’ve all dressed in women’s clothes, with the theme being: “NA Confidential: DRAGGING New Albany into the 21st century.”

Ah … what might have been … but perhaps a banner denouncing our do-nothing councilman would be enough. Let me know.

And, come by for a beer next Saturday.

Here is the coverage from last year: Time for just one more -- beer, not parade float.