ABC and the Atlanta Pride Parade

I was in a parade last weekend, with my bike and a float conceived and built by ABC members and volunteers.

As a sculptor with an interest in community-based art production, I was intrigued when I heard that ABC wanted to make a bicycle-powered parade float for the Atlanta Pride Parade. I knew this would be no small undertaking and would require some thoughtful design and careful construction. This seemed like a great opportunity to combine the dedication and commitment of ABC volunteers and staff with the construction skills of GSU sculpture students. As a sculpture professor, it was also a good way for me to show students one of the things I am always telling them: that art often comes most naturally from everyday interests and activities.

It took two weeks in the GSU sculpture studio working with ABC folks to design and build the float. ABC's Erica Crabb Moon came up with the idea: The theme was "Share the Street, Give 3 Feet." The final product was a delightful example of collaboration and duct-tape engineering. GSU biology grad student and former bike mechanic Rick Hanberry designed the undercarriage. Much like a shopping cart, the float had fixed wheels in back and free-spinning wheels in front. A third front wheel in the middle allowed steering and some (limited!) braking. ABC volunteer Marc Merlin had a huge hand in helping build the platform and decorations. A bevy of other fabulous ABC volunteers pitched in to paint, cut out letters, decorate, and just lend a hand in general. GSU sculpture student Emma Adair did a fab job putting "Raul and Jerome" together, so much so that a couple of float dummies became keys players we referred to by name.

As often happens on Pride Parade day, it rained. Hard, and with lightning. To our delight, the float guys, Jerome (on the bike) and Raul (in the car), held up well in the downpour. Most of the rest of the float was painted plywood and duct tape, so the rain had little effect on the structure. The float crew were troopers, sticking it out in spite of lightning and chill and ready to roll once the lineup was under way. By the time we reached the parade route, the rain went practically unnoticed by both float crew and wet, soggy crowd.

We rolled through the entire two-mile parade route while the crowds cheered us on. "Bicycles!! Yeah!!" many of them yelled as we passed. Admittedly, some of them were drunk, but I believe the sentiment was genuine. It was a great chance for ABC to spread the message about how to interact safely with cyclists, and I think it had an impact on everyone who saw it. As for me, it was an honor to be a part of the effort.