Many of the small towns around here have some sort of St. Patrick's Day Parade. Some celebrate before St. Patty's Day and some after. I decided to head over to Patchogue to sketch at their parade which was held on Sun, March 19. It was a cold, very windy day so I dressed in layers wearing warm boots and a hat. I tucked my supplies in my purse and headed over. I didn't bother bringing a chair since I wasn't sure how crowded it would be. I ended up sketching standing up leaning against a tree. I was lucky to have buildings behind me that blocked some of the wind. While I was waiting for the parade to start a bagpiper came out of the The Tap Room, a bar across from me. I sketched him quickly and it was a good thing I was quick because soon a police car came along and this bagpiper and a few others were whisked off to the start of the parade. I did some of the colors in his kilt from memory and had taken a photo so I could look back and see a little more of what the bagpipes looked like. I sketched a few of the other characters that were around me watching the parade.
I wanted to try and get the motion of the parade, but there was just too much movement and too many people coming along and blocking my view. Instead I did a few of the moms around me with their little kids and some of the marchers in the background.
It was a fun event to sketch...and I'm very glad I dressed warmly.
