The Pride Parade and Rally on Saturday rocked so hard that we’re still pulling glitter out of our hair. Without a doubt, this was the most festive event of summer. Dozens of floats representing local churches (sample cheer: Straight or Gay? God says OK!), businesses (Boeing: What do we do? MAKE JETS! How do we do it? WITH PRIDE!), and teams (holler at us, Charleston Blockade Rugby! Love those sassy sailor outfits!) made their way down King Street, dancing and singing the whole way. People brought doughnuts, their dogs, and small children out to celebrate the full spectrum of Charleston, and the whole thing was so darned good-natured and kind that it brought a tear to our eyes. Nothing makes you feel better about the future of South Carolina than a five-year-old shaking it to “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” and waving a tiny rainbow banner.
To round out the afternoon, we headed north to Awendaw Green for the Mini-Wave Fest. First things first, it has to be said that the place smells like an aromatic candle. Equal parts cedar, pine, campfire, and patchouli, with a dash of earthiness, Awendaw Green is an olfactory wonderland. We braved the flooded Crosstown in a Volkswagen and made the trek yonder to Sewee to hang out in a barn at the Mini-Wave Fest. While the nasty weather dampened attendance, it didn’t dampen spirits. We enjoyed folksy, earnest sets by Jordan Igoe and Avi Jacobs of Charleston, plus Asheville’s Pierce Edens, and our very own singing, dancing puppet, Mr. Bonetangles. The crowd was a mix of young families who wouldn’t have been out of place at a DMB concert, some aging hippies, and a couple of teenagers who looked like they might have shown up at the wrong place. We’ll be back for a Wednesday Barn Jam for sure.
On Sunday, things got awkward. If you’re ever gotten a little lost on your way to the Budweiser Bikini Bash out at the Windjammer on Isle of Palms, the best way to figure out where to go is to look for the van of whatever radio station plays the annoying “men are like this and women are like that!” morning show. It’s almost certain to be parked nearby. We weren’t familiar with the spectacle that is the Triple B, but wow, was it a sight to behold. Imagine: it’s broad daylight on a summer afternoon and everyone around you is club drunk on Red Bull vodkas. Now imagine that more than half of the people are not street legal clothing-wise. Sideboob, anyone? Throw in a bunch of bros in Keep Calm and Chive On T-shirts giving out lap dances at random, and it’s just like you’re there. Someone was awarded $2,000 for her swimwear talents, but it was hard to say who that special gal was. We’re sure her parents were very proud. Until next year, ladies! Keep your feet on the ground, and keep reaching for the stars.
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