First Chairs Out on Frederick Road Marking Spots for Parade
Chairs were reported either Monday or Tuesday.
Photos
The first chairs are out on Frederick Road in Catonsville, as the longtime tradition of saving space along the route ahead the Fourth of July parade has begun.
Patch spottted four chairs, two sets in different locations, on Wednesday afternoon. Last year, the first chairs were reported around June 26.
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The parade, which is always on July 4, has been held for 66 years. The event draws thousands to Catonsville, and costs the Catonsville Celebrations Committee almost $100,000 to put on.
Two chairs, along with yellow rope wrapped around a telephone poll and a piece of PVC pipe stuck in the ground, stand on Frederick Road just west of North Beechwood Avenue in front of Catonsville Presbyterian Church.
A second set of chairs and white rope mark space outside of Catonsville Baptist Church, although one of the white folding chairs has been knocked to the ground.
For further reading, see also:
Uncle Sam, The Can Collector and Other Catonsville Parade Trivia
Mysterious Seven-Foot Tall Chair Back for the Parade
Vandals Wreck Chairs Set Out for Fourth of July Parade on Frederick Road
Only in Catonsvile, Hon, Pulling Out Chairs, Tape, Tarps, Rocks to Save a Parade Seat
What do you think of the tradition of saving space before the parade? Do you put chairs out ahead of time? Tell us in the comments.
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Catonsville Baptist Church
1004 Frederick Rd, Catonsville, MD -
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Catonsville Presbyterian Church
1400 Frederick Rd, Catonsville, MD
chsmm1
8:22 pm on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
WOW...seems a little early...I don't mind the chairs, but 2 weeks seems extreme..
Deb O'Doherty
9:10 am on Thursday, June 21, 2012
I agree two weeks early is crazy
Mari
1:09 pm on Thursday, June 21, 2012
I also like the chair tradition, but two weeks - really? The chairs shown are all secured with rope to save substantial spaces. I'm wondering who would be legally responsible if someone trips over the rope and is injured. Honestly, I wouldn't blame the churches if they cut the ropes since I'm guessing they would have to pay any claims from their insurance.
A number of years ago, there were two chairs out on New Year's Day with a sign that they were reserving a spot for the 4th of July. THAT was clever!
Penny Riordan
2:22 pm on Thursday, June 21, 2012
Maybe I should camp out on Frederick Road next year around two-and-a-half weeks before so I can catch whoever is the first in the act. Would love to interview them in person!
Joyce Gantt
11:06 pm on Thursday, June 21, 2012
The chairs show up earlier and earlier each year, but that's Catonsville. I guess people can't watch a short parade standing up anymore. I've nothing against the chairs, it kind of funny. I object to seeing the tarps placed on the grass. I think it's
disrespectful. It doesn't matter who owns the lawn they place them on, the point is it's not their property. Just because the grass may belong to the school or the church, it's no excuse to possibly destroy the grass under the tarp just because you NEED a place to sit. Use common sense..would you want someone putting a tarp on your lawn in the blazing sun for a week or two every summer? I think not.
Cheryl Dunigan
9:51 am on Friday, June 22, 2012
Kill me.
Mel Tansill
8:47 am on Sunday, June 24, 2012
You can't make this stuff up.
Kim Dixon
1:51 pm on Monday, June 25, 2012
Elkridge young marines will be there. In the parade that is. Lol
Jim Perrus
8:38 pm on Monday, July 2, 2012
I left some chairs in front of the library last night (7/1/12) and when I drove by this evening, they were stack in back of the library. Is there a rule of not putting chairs on the sidewalk in front of the library? It would have been nice if they put out a sign or something to that affect if that was the case. I was lucky to find some space nearby. Hopefully they won't be moved.