When you see the clown, it's over.

Old Home Week

I'm from a small town in south-central Pennsylvania, Greencastle, PA.? As far as I can remember, Greencasltle has celebrated Old Home Week every three years. Greencastle shuts down the main square for a week-long celebration of the town's history. OHW brings many people together - from the surrounding area and past residents who always come back to visit and reminisce.? There is a deep and rich history to this event that you can read here https://oldhomeweek.org/.

As the week-long celebration of OHW goes on, some landmark events occur throughout the week. The unofficial opening is held on the Sunday evening before the week starts. The OHW picture is a favorite on Wednesdays. The photo was taken in the center of town and is a panoramic photo of the crowd. Of course, I've been in a few of them over the years.? Another major event is the OHW parade on Thursday evening. That's where this story begins.?

Years ago, my father, unofficially, a lot of this unofficial stuff happened during OHW and became the tail end of the parade. He's always driving in a golf cart, clown suit, horn, rubber chicken, and a sign that lets everyone know that the parade is over and we will see you in 3 years.? Over the years, people have looked forward to this clown ending the show with his antics, candy, and bead tossing.?

This year seemed no different than any other until I went to help him pick up the golf cart.? When we returned, we pulled the cart into the garage for him to decorate. He explained that he wanted to put a sign in the form to advertise his local station radio show on bluegrass music. I thought about how to attach the sign; I started thinking and telling him to keep decorating. At this point, I noticed his famous sign on the back of the cart closing the parade. The old Looney Toons, "that's all folks, we'll see you in ________." And he always filled in the blank with the next OHW year 3 years from now.? Well, the date said, "see you in 20??." Go figure; what is up with this? I thought to myself.? So I asked dad what was up with the sign.? He informed me that he was 84 years old, and the next OHW was in 3 years, and he would be 87.? I responded, "so?" He told me he might not be here and doesn't get around like he used to.? Well, I said, "I hear you, but OHW will be back in 2025, and your job is to inform everyone when the next OHW is going to happen."??

I could tell it was time to step up, so I asked him what if I drove the cart while he did his thing with the horn, rubber chicken, candy, and bead tossing.? He informed me that I would have to dress up goofy and such.? I said, "ok, I'll be your driver from this point forward." I left to design the sign holder for the front of the cart.? Upon my return, I noticed that the sign on the back of the cart had changed. The ?? had been removed, and "see you in 2025" was on the sign.? I also see a spring in dad's step and a call to purpose. Now that is the dad I know. Before you knew it, he gave out orders and ensured the cart would be up to standard.? He again informed me I would have to dress up and look goofy.? I told him I would be unrecognizable.

As the parade members assembled, some 153, we headed out to the starting point of the 41st triennial OHW parade.? After an unexpected rain shower 10 minutes before the start, 6:00 PM sharp, the parade was on its way.? We watched for about an hour before we staged our entrance as we were at the tail-end.? Well, dad was ready, and we took off at a wapping 2 miles-per-hour.

Finally, 1 hour and 35 minutes later, that ride was over. During that time, candy was tossed and beads handed out. Along the way, there were several stops where dad, the clown, would dismount and hand out beads to some people who I swear went to the parade just to see him.? He remembered them and would shout, "stop, got to go see my friend." or "hold up; I was hoping to see them." Throughout the parade, it was evident that people expected to see the golf cart clown at the end of the parade.???

That was the best parade I can recall, and my dad was thrilled! I look forward to driving the clown around in 2025.? Remember to do something your future self will thank you for.??