Thanks for the memories

Rib's Ramblings

by Mark Ribble

At a time when the world is reeling from an unprecedented pandemic, we can all take heart, knowing that there are still people out there making things run as close to normal as possible.

With last week’s Kingsville Santa Claus Parade and this past weekend’s Leamington Christmas Parade, we had a glimpse of the good that people can do when they put their minds to it.

Unfortunately, we also had a glimpse, via social media, of how mean and unappreciative people can be under stressful circumstances.

I didn’t venture to Kingsville, but both of my kids did with their families. They stuck it out through the waiting and the kids got to see Santa.

Were there traffic issues? Of course there were issues, but the reverse parade persevered and many people stuck around a long time that night to make it happen.

Leamington — having had the luxury of seeing Kingsville’s parade first, hoped that their location and the vast amount of space available, would alleviate some of the traffic issues. They tell me that 1700 cars made the trip through the park gates.

I think traffic issues are inherent in any outdoor venture. I remember traffic issues at every Canada Day Fireworks, Hogs for Hospice weekends and even the Snowbirds events in the 1990s.

There’s simply nothing you can do about the traffic, no matter how prepared you believe you are for that.

Humans will be humans, and there is a certain percentage of people out there who will refuse to follow the rules and think that they can cut in line and get there earlier by circumventing the process, messing up the line for everyone.

I don’t think anything more could have been done to erase traffic issues.

The true shame here goes to those who felt the need to criticize the volunteers who put these events on.

These are the same people who would think nothing of parking their cars uptown at 5 pm and plopping their lawn chairs down on a cold, snowy sidewalk to patiently wait for a parade to come by.

If need be, they’d sit there until the cows came home to get a glimpse of Santa and all of the lights and music, without ever uttering a stern word. All the while, they’d be freezing their butts off, drinking hot chocolate or something a little stronger, singing Christmas songs to their little ones.

Heaven forbid they sit in a warm car for two or three hours doing the same thing.

Now, with the popularity of social media, the keyboard warriors can sit back and criticize without having to lift a finger to volunteer themselves.

I can guarantee that anyone who volunteered for these events, or participated in a float, also wished the time was shorter for them, except they were standing in the cold for your entertainment. And for the most part, they stuck it out with a smile on their face.

I have nothing but respect for the people who organized these events and those who stood in the cold for the benefit of the community at large. By all accounts, both events were a sight to behold, and I would personally like to thank all of those involved for attempting to bring smiles to so many faces at a time when there is not much else to smile about. Job well done!