Celebrating the Roslindale in all of us

The weather cleared quite nicely for today's Roslindale Day parade. As crowds lined Belgrade Avenue and South Street in the newly emerged sun, marching bands marched, cute little kids did cute little things and clowns, giant furry animals and politicians competed to see who could shake the most hands.

Members of Boston Latin School's Junior Classical League took turns in the chariot and offered up cheers in Latin:

Yes, of course there were Shriners in goofy little vehicles:

A Shriner clown kept disappointing kids who didn't get his joke at first:

Soldiers, National Guard members and JRTOC troops from several schools marched:

Why, I otter:

This eagle clipped his talons before high-fiving little kids:

Waving hello:

A wee bagpiper got some help with his socks:

Beauty queens:

A herd of elk:

Proof that Karyn Polito is running this year:

Independent candidate Evan Falkchuk also hustled on the hustings. Strangely, the Coakley campaign was nowhere to be seen in Roslindale.

You would hope the Mozart School would have a focus on music:

There were plenty of dancers:

Friends of the Roslindale BPL branch made sure we knew the books they've read:

Arrr:

This old Saturn station wagon always runs in the parade: