Berwyn on Parade!

I’ve been meaning to thank everybody who came out to see me (and everything else) in the Berwyn Centennial parade on Sunday-I appreciate the Sven fans showing up in huge numbers, many wearing their glow-in-the-dark shirts proudly!

There were even a few people who brought their own rubber chickens (and, gratefully, nobody decided to fling theirs at me!)

We arrived at our vehicle about a half hour before the parade started- and met several dignitaries, and parade participants.

Our good friends from our sponsor Horrorbles were set to follow our vehicle in their classic hearse, and we followed an amazing caravan of veterans and military vehicles and floats.

I got to pose for pictures with many of the nice people who were there before we pulled out-including the fine mayor of Berwyn!

Our driver, a nice guy named Noel, cranked the air in the convertible, so that it reached me, perched up on the back seat!(Now THAT’S powerful air conditioning!) It was a very warm, sunny day, and I had to hope that my moustache wouldn’t sweat off- but it survived very well! As we cruised along the parade route, passing such Berwyn landmarks as the World’s Largest Laundromat, I was really touched by how many people cheered, and yelled that they love us and the show! More often than not, I’d hear a parade watcher shout

“BER-WYN?!” just like the sound effect on the show- and several others wanted ME to say it!

Did I mention how sore I was after the parade? Think about it- I’m bracing my legs to keep me upright, sitting on the back of the rear seat of the car, waving with one hand and brandishing my rubber chicken (which had an American flag sticking out of it!) with the other hand! Noel’s smooth driving was a big help- no jerky stops (I was the only jerk around there) and very careful driving- it’s always a little scary when people run up to the rolling car to try and shake hands-PLEASE- if you’re ever in that situation, be careful-we don’t want to run anybody over! The worst thing was, when people wanted to take a picture with me, while the car was moving-

they’re trying to run alongside the vehicle, while whoever’s taking the picture is trying to keep up, aim the camera, etc.

Once again, the people of Berwyn have treated me with great affection and respect- which, no matter how much I joke about their town, I do return to them. Anyone who really doesn’t understand that I’m just joking, and that Berwyn is a great place just doesn’t “get it.”

If you missed me last Sunday, don’t worry- coming up in a

little over two weeks, I’ll be right next door to Berwyn -in Cicero-and I’ll give you all the details here soon! #  #  #