Celebrating annual events with parades is an ancient tradition. But during the past couple of years, the global pandemic, racial injustice, and active shooter incidents have made many people approach large public gatherings with trepidation. Some parades were cancelled, but when they were held, participants and audiences turned out in impressive numbers. These images capture moments of communal celebration amid concerns about health and welfare. In times when threats can come from multiple sources and directions, the persistent popularity of the old-fashioned parade suggests, at least to me, that the forces that draw us together are as powerful as the fears that would keep us apart.
Events photographed for this collection: Lunar New Year Parade, New York City, NY St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Baltimore and Gaithersburg, MD Cherry Blossom Parade, Washington, DC Juneteenth, Washington, DC Olney Days Parade, Olney, MD Memorial Day Parade, Bowie and Rockville, MD July 4th Parade, Capitol Hill, Washington, DC Mayor’s Christmas Parade, Baltimore, MD
