I have a rather unpleasant trait in common with Mark Sanford: I’m not crazy about crowds, or group enthusiasm. Confronted with such, like our governor, I tend to make ironic or disparaging remarks. So it was that while waiting for the triumphal procession to begin on Main Street today, I grumbled about the helicopter hovering directly overhead that to my ear was becoming as obnoxious as a neighbor’s leaf blower, and wondered whether Ray Tanner would have anyone whispering in his ear as he passed, “Respica te, hominem te memento” or “Memento mori.”
Which, let’s face it, is obnoxious on my part. Definitely not one of my best traits, as my wife, who has heard a surfeit of such, can attest.
So it was that I was happy to have my grouchiness dissolve once the parade got under way, as I remembered once again how thrilling the victory was the other night. Talk about your contact high. This really was a wonderful communal event for our state, and for Columbia. Did you notice the glorious goofiness of EVERYBODY, including the ballplayers, being so busy taking pictures that nobody seemed to stop just to experience the event? That was understandable. Nobody wanted to forget this. It was that special.
And by the end, even I was in just as good a mood as everyone else. And as I walked back to the office with ADCO President Lanier Jones, I heartily agreed as he marveled at the tremendous juxtaposition of things to celebrate:
- The new mayor’s inauguration, an exciting new beginning for Columbia.
- The tremendous victory of our National Champion Gamecock baseball team.
- The start of the July Fourth weekend.
- The beautiful weather, which was far, far more pleasant than we have any right to expect in Columbia in July.
Actually, Lanier didn’t mention that last one; I added it on my own. Aren’t you proud of me?
Beyond that I’ll add this: Have you ever seen that many people assembled downtown for something so unquestionably positive for our city and state? (Something I heard a number of people marveling at.) This was a very special moment.
And how many were there? I just got the official estimate from our new mayor: 42,000 people were there today!
Huzzay, Gamecocks!
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The school colors are GARNET and black, not RED! Geez, guys….
Miss Manners commented on weddings that were so busily being photographed that they never actually happened…
I think it is great that the people from all over the state turned out for this. I am saddened, however, when I wonder why an equal number of people did not turn out in April 2009 and 2010 to protest cuts in education. I suppose when their children come home on the first day of school and say “I have 35 kids in my class” it will finally dawn on mom and dad that the cuts are real.
The pink thing in the foreground?
@Burl–A bald head….
Someone’s head?
I get an F for crowd estimation. I was too low by 37,000. In my defence it was an estimate made at the time I was there. Couldn’t really see the sea of people on the state house grounds. Where I was standing, near the Tillman statue, it didn’t seem that crowded.
A great crowd, and well behaved too. I didn’t see a single car overturned.
My wife and I had a great vantage point; we were at the Chick-fil-a open air dining area on the second floor.
One of the great things about celebrating the Gamecocks National Championship was that nobody burned the city down or did any looting. NBA and NFL cities take a clue from Columbia.
@Kathryn,
This parade was put together at the last minute, so they got their hands on any convertible that they could. I reckon red was close enough.
@Ralph–I’m talking about the red t-shirts! Far too much Gamecock stuff is primary red, when garnet is more of dark burgundy red to maroon! Standards, people!