2021 STR UT THE HOOCH
PA R A D E By Stephen Scott (Captain Hooch)
H
i friends, Captain Hooch here to let you know all about the most energetic, wacky, rollicking event of the year - the great annual Uptown Columbus Strut the Hooch parade.
What the heck is that you say? Well, it’s only the most wonderfully peculiar and cacophonous cavalcade of Chattahoochee citizens, all coming out to display their personalities, talents, and creativity in a most joyful celebration of life. To get a glimpse of this fantastic happening, just station yourself along Broadway in Columbus from 9th Street up to 13th Street on September 18th between 9 and 11. Bring your cousins by the dozens, and your uncles and your aunts, and your brothers and your sisters too. You may ask - “What is the point?” Captain Hooch here felt there was too much bad news, too many grouchy folks and too much hatred and meanness in the world. So in late 2014 he approached Richard Bishop, then president of Uptown Columbus, Inc., with the idea for a comic parade. There are similar parades across the country - The
Doo Dah parade in Pasadena, California and Columbus, Ohio, the King Mango Strut in Fort Lauderdale and many Mardi Gras parades across the country. In May 2015 the first parade occurred as the First Annual Columbus Comic parade. Although only 26 LocaL
intrepid souls showed up, they and spectators were enthusiastic, and UpTown president Bishop expressed his desire to keep it going. He mentioned that the very popular Uptown Columbus Market Days started with eight “very reluctant” vendors. It has grown into a very popular scene now stretching four long city blocks. The parade has grown as well, having several hundred participants in 2018 and 2019, even with strutters braving torrential rains. Strut the Hooch is all about creative expression and the things we all have in common. It showcases the rich cultural history we share in the Valley and promotes the many talents displayed. You can do most any wacky thing in the parade, but do remember that it is a family-friendly event, so make sure to keep a bit of modesty in mind. Examples of entries in the past include Shrine Clowns, pipe and drum corps, Super Heroes, strolling musicians, body floats, motorcycles, mermaids, pirates, mascots, costumed pets, dragons and crocodiles, Dixieland bands, and many other delightful creations. The personality of the event is “We are the World,” and
citizens from other lands are more than welcome to appear in the parade in the traditional dress of their country. In fact, dependents of Central and South American soldiers training at Fort Benning are planning to join us this year. Interested yet? Here is what you need to know: There are “staging” areas at the beginning of the parade and helpful event staff to point you in the right direction. To be in the parade, simply send an email with your information and what you want to do to: strutthehooch@gmail.com. There is a Facebook page for public information, a Facebook group for participant information, and a Facebook event page. And none of it would be possible this year without the Funding provided by The Knight Foundation Fund at the Community Foundation of the Chattahoochee Valley, to whom we thank immensely. We hope to see you there. Continuing our motto “Weird, Wacky, Wild!” Once you witness the frivolity and joy of Strut the Hooch, you will not want to ever miss it again. That’s Captain Hooch’s guarantee.u 2
SEPT EMBER -OCT OBER 2021
