It is a time-honored tradition in Toms River....people claiming a spot along Main Street days before the parade, by placing chairs, benches, even a sofa, along the route. This year the authorities have seen fit to remove them, only allowing chairs to be put along the street after noon of the day before the parade.
Riverguy understands that yes, when the wind blows, some of the chairs can become a hazard, and yes, the sidewalk can get a little squeezed. However, in my view, the chair phenomenon actually creates a "buzz" for the parade...people driving through the town see the chairs and get a sense of the keen anticipation that people have for the parade. People talk about seeing Main Street, fully lined with chairs, many days before the event. The speak of it with some degree of amazement.
Like it or not, "chair placing" has become a part of the parade ritual, and we'd better be careful about diminishing it. Riverguy hears people complaining all the time that holidays and events "aren't what they used to be" and "the fun is going out of things" etc.For the sake of tradition, and just plain fun, can't we for once resist the urge to "regulate" an event?
