Sunday, September 10, 2006

Gone Fishin!

















Photo by Anon

I actually haven't "gone fishin", (which is a handy euphuism for being on vacation) but I will be gone fishin soon. Today was the first of many ArtCar days I'll be participating in with my tribe. It was the 32nd year for the Solano Stroll a mile-long parade and festival that takes place every September in Berkeley & Albany, California (East of San Francisco Bay). It's crowded, smoky, noisy, and like all festivals has lots of food on a stick and lots of handmade things you don't need. One special thing about this fair though, that I really like, is the dozens of liberal political booths. There was one for Jerry McNerney the man who's going to whup Richard Pombo's corrupt ass. Local Democratic Clubs were of course there registering voters as were the Gray Panthers, a Berkeley tradition. Americans United for Separation of Church and State, Code Pink and this worthy organization, Save the Bay were there to as were many booths sporting a variety of bio-eco-non-oil fuel thingies.

















Photo © Ken Duffy 2006
Click on photos to enlarge

ArtCars have been a part of the parade/festival for the last 10 years. In fact we're the only gas-powered vehicles allowed now except fire engines! That's how special we are! Here are a few pics from today's Stroll:

My niece Ava and her friend rode Princess style in my VainVan ArtCar.

















Photo © Emily Duffy 2006
Click on photos to enlarge

Here are a few of today's cars parked on display after the parade:

















Photo © Ken Duffy 2006
Click on photos to enlarge

For the FIRST TIME in all the years we've been doing the Stroll, the Albany police were actually helpful instead of hostile. I'm not sure why but this friendly officer was even interested in hearing about one of the cars. You see things can change!






















Photo © Ken Duffy 2006
Click on photos to enlarge

Last but not least my husband Ken, and fellow Cartist Avril Hughes clown around (the theme for this year's stroll being "Send in the Clowns" (hey give them a break you'd be out of themes after 32 years too!)






















Photo © Emily Duffy 2006
Click on photos to enlarge

But in the next few days I really will be GONE FISHING, with the ArtCars!

















Sashimi Tabernacle ArtCar by Richard Carter, John Schroeter, and a team of 30 volunteers.

I'll be feverishly working to help ArtCar Fest producers Harrod Blank and Philo Northrup organize our 10th annual event here in the San Francisco Bay Area. We usually get 60-80 ArtCars from all over the country and Canada. It's a jaw-dropping sight and one of the events I look forward to every year because each time is even more fun than the previous one. If you're in the area be sure to come and check out at least one of the cool, unique, and crazy days of freak-infestation we're inflicting upon the poor un-entertained citizens of San Francisco Bay!


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