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SubTitle: Extravaganza Extraordinaire!
Posted by: Bob Sheridan on 12/25/1997@01:00hrs:
All this talk of the SI Ferryboats got me to thinking of more ferryboats. The thought of Frances painting away in a barn in Siena while her mind turns back towards SI makes me wonder what color the ferryboats are in Siena, and how she plans to paint them from memory.
Which got me to thinking even more, which, as you can see, is not always beneficial.
Some towns are noted for their municipal extravaganzas. Horse racing around the town square in medieval costume, for example, or the running of the bulls in Pamplona, or Carnaval in Venice, Rio, and New Orleans. Even California has the celebrated jumping frogs of Calaveras County, immortalized by Mark Twain.
What does Staten Island have? Nothing.
What does Staten Island need?
Ferryboat races.
Annually.
Every year of a Midsummer weekend.
I can see it; two boats racing; other boats along the course, flags flying, whistles blowing, first the slalom run, then the downhill, what could be more grand. People would come from all around. The mayor would present a cup to the winner...
And then I woke up...
But it was a grand dream.
What do you think the chances are?
There could be prizes, too. Second prize, two weeks in New Jersey. First prize, one week in New Jersey...
Mark Twain would love it.