Beyond Swellesley: Boston Pride Parade

The Boston Pride Parade, which attracted thousands of marchers from a slew of educational, arts and political organizations and thousands more lining the streets, lived up to its colorful reputation on Saturday. Lots of sparkles, rainbows and unicorns, some poignant signs recalling those lost to hate incidents, and drag queens galore. It was way longer and elaborate than it used to be when it cruised down Charles Street past my post-college apartment back in the day.

The MBTA predictably botched its logistics, resulting in uncomfortably crammed standing room only on its commuter rail trains that stopped in Wellesley to pick up parade watchers and Red Sox fans. But we eventually got in, and I found a good spot to watch the parade near Carrie Nation, the place where my office usually goes to bid farewell to colleagues. The pub was having its usual Drag Me to Brunch event and pumped out what seemed like endless Lady Gaga tunes through its open windows.

I recognized a few Wellesley faces in the crowd, and then there was Dana Hall School, which had a bunch of marchers who hustled along behind me to catch the train back to Wellesley when the parade was nearly finished.