When we last left off, we arrived at Arabiatta - a cute little bistro which had:

 

1. A nice location next to the Pride parade route on Yonge at Isabella.

2. Decent food at affordable prices.

3. A nice selection of beer, available in pitchers and half-pitchers.

4. A nice pale ale http://www.blackoakbeer.com/beer.html, which was the first pale ale in Canada I found with ANY flavor.

5. Huge picture windows for us to watch the parade.

6. Staff that were ridiculously accomodating - as I was standing taking photos, the manager came up and said "you could probably get great shots if you stand on the chair - go ahead!". Then, the servers were outside grabbing beads every chance they got and were happy to share.

 

So with that, instead of standing outside, getting sunburnt, splashed by the squirt guns/buckets, scarred by a bead necklace gone awry, and oh - NOT being able to drink, we stayed put and enjoyed A/C, copious amounts of good beer, and a great view of one heck of a parade.

 

As before - there ARE some scantily-clad folk in the photos - they're covered, but "work safe" depends on YOUR definition. On with the show!

 

People gathering on the rooftops:

 

As always, the Dykes on Bikes led the way - sorry I didn't get more shots, I was wrapping up lunch:

 

More of the po po. Now, since we're in Canada and they're Mounties, do we call them the Mo Mo?

 

Lots of marchers for justice and social causes:

 

Gay cycling club:

 

First of many rainbow flags:

 

A band:

 

This was an interesting setup - you have the ad:

 

Which dropped away to reveal the DJ:

 

THIS. IS. TORONTO!!!! (*kick*)

 

Not sure who this group was, but "Tina Turner" was looking a little less herself:

 

Asian dancing float:

 

Carribean dancing float:

 

To quote Stevie Wonder: "Isn't she lovely..."

 

Multi-national dancing float:

 

Stilt-walkers:

 

Coca-Cola sponsored float:

 

Whaddya know - a bank float. Not just a kiosk at a festival, but a full-on float. KeyCorp, National City, AmTrust, I'm looking at you.

 

Of course, a vodka promo float:

 

This poor guy hasn't had lunch... ever. ;-)

 

This one's for the hetero guys - yes, she was all woman (born that way)

 

A Louis Vuitton horse - who knew?

 

PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) got a very well-deserved huzzah from the crowd:

 

So did the PFLAG to be:

 

So THAT'S who stole the flowers from the front yard!!

 

Yep, full support from the Toronto Transit Commission:

 

Hmm, wonder who I should talk to about getting something like this for Cleveland's Pride parade? ;-)

 

A somber reminder that there are untold numbers who would be put to death for this kind of celebration:

 

Shapely legs, and you know what they say about women who wear large heels!  :lol:

 

Hmm, wonder if CityWheels would be interested in doing this for Cleveland's Pride parade?

 

The dynamic FAAAABulous duo!

 

 

Let me get this straight (nyuk nyuk) - a bank sponsoring ripped stilt-walkers?

 

AND a float? With dancers who share (at most) one teaspoon of fat between them?!?

 

Yeah, a BANK float - perhaps our stuffy old institutions could stop starching their britches and actually have "fun":

 

Ah, but someone has to keep us safe during the festivities:

 

Some Toronto cop (off-duty) chatted with me at one of the bars; apparently the TO police like Cleveland because we send representatives to their Peace Officers event:

 

JDD, this one's for you!

 

Canadian Amtrak:

 

This gal was a hoot - I think the kids call her dance style "crumpin'":

 

I took most of the shots under "brunch" - the gal with the pink necklace under 3pm was my "CeCe Peniston" buddy - every other float was playing "Finally" and she and I both started shakin' it:

 

The airline industry float:

 

 

Another one in need of lunch (and is that Wilder Valderama to his left?!?):

 

Ladies of color, so to speak:

 

The Pride staff float:

 

And yet one more way this city gets behind... errr... supports their Pride event - their CVB and hotels participate visibly.

 

Let's see, some guys who aren't afraid of a little food:

 

Ah yes, the bear contingent!

 

The bar - the float:

 

Okay, this individual was talented - note the wheel thingymajig - they used it for Cirque Du Soleil-like acrobatics. However, I've never seen Cirque Du Soleil prance around wearing nothing but a corset and fishnets - oh, and did I mention... how do I put this... the external plumbing was intact  :-o :-o :-o

 

 

Okay, back to more sedate fare - flags and whatnot:

 

Flag corps:

 

Time for a Thai float!

 

LOVE the headdresses!!!

 

I saw these signs and thought - are they pro-boxers? Oh. No... no f#cking way are they...

 

...oh god. They were. Nudists. Most of whom may well be the nicest people you'd ever meet, but you DON'T wanna see them nekkid!!!!  :-P

 

With that, someone needs to let this dog out - I'm outta here (until part 3):

 

 

Seeing the UrbanOhio logo in use like that?  Classic.

I think I need to start a new bank account.  I wonder of the account reps look like the folks on the float!

 

GREAT JOB MAYDAY!!!

I don't want to take away from the fun photos, but If i were a bigoted "family values" Canadian, I would be busy boycotting: major banks, the airlines, zip cars, the TTC, VIA Rail, the fire department, EMS, etc. It would realy be hard to do anything in Canada. Reminds me of the siliness of the "family values" boycott of Ford here in the US.

 

 

I'm with ColDay on the use of the UO logo. LMAO

Awesome Mayday!!!

Great Job MayDay!  Your parades look a lot more fun then our parades.

Great Job MayDay!  Your parades look a lot more fun then our parades.

 

HUH?  MayDay lives in Cleveland.

 

Edit...Now that I understand, yes I agree!  :wink2:

Uh, he means "your people" as in US, you dumb@ss! :roll:

Uh, he means "your people" as in US, you dumb@ss! :roll:

 

Oh...damnit!

Did anyone notice the firetruck says "Toronto Pumper"...I know, immature. 

Did anyone notice the firetruck says "Toronto Pumper"...I know, immature. 

 

Nope, definitely worth a giggle.

Yay, for all the people and sponsors.

Did anyone notice the firetruck says "Toronto Pumper"...I know, immature. 

 

Yes, but I didn't think that anyone else did. Now I don't feel so alone in my immaturity.  :-D

 

Good job MayDay, looks like you had fun.