Norwegian Independence Day.
May 17th.
Each year, since I was a little
boy, I've attended the Syttende Mai (May 17th)
parade in Bay Ridge Brooklyn. The parade is a celebration of Norway's
peaceful separation from Sweden in 1905. This year's celebration marked
the 100th anniversary.
The parade route goes right past my house and a bunch of cool bars, so a good and easy time is had each year. Unfortunately, the audience is dwindling and it may only be a matter of time until the parade ceases operation. That will be a sad time for me.
Bay Ridge Brooklyn used to be the home to the largest number of Scandinavians on the East Coast. No longer. The neighborhood has changed drastically over the past years although it's still a safe and neighborly place to live.
Below are links so some photographs I've taken over the years.
