STRUT THE HOOCH - WEIRD, WACKY, WILD!

The Annual Uptown Columbus Strut the Hooch parade is a family-oriented event filled with pure exhilaration and creative expression. It's part Mardi Gras, part Halloween, part Cosplay, part Dragoncon, and all joy!

It was established in January 2014 by local resident Steve Scott under the aegis of Uptown Columbus, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that coordinates economic revitalization initiatives throughout the Central Business District, Riverfront, and Uptown. In the fall of 2014, he approached Richard Bishop, then president of Uptown Columbus, with the idea of a comic parade. Strut the Hooch is a parade of wackiness and fun. Recognizing the abundance of anger and meanness in the world, he wanted to create an event where people of all races, cultures, and backgrounds could come together to celebrate our differences, love each other, and simply be silly for half an hour.

Strut the Hooch is all about "strutting your stuff on the Chattahoochee" (actually Broadway in the main business district). The initial parade was held on May 2, 2015, with only 26 enthusiastic participants. Since then, it has grown to include hundreds of participants in subsequent parades. Acknowledging that while the crowd and participants enjoyed it, they weren't exactly certain what it was all about, Steve Scott began an effort to brand the parade and create its name, slogan, logo, and the Grand Marshall character, Capt. Hooch.

Participants can be individuals, groups, musicians, floats, pets, mascots, crazy vehicles, and more. Everyone is encouraged to express their inner weirdness and creativity through their costumes and paraphernalia. It is a family event, so we aim to keep it modest. Some typical entries in the past have included Springer Academy students, Whitewater guides, Roller Derby Girls, the Ballet, bands and other musical groups, mascots, superheroes, Shrine clowns, the Tri-City Latino Association, and many others. We have specifically recruited residents from other countries residing in the Valley to participate in the parade, showcasing the traditional dress of their home country. In the most recent parade, the 9th annual one, there were people from Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Colombia, Panama, Mexico, the Philippines, and the Netherlands.

The founder has worked on establishing the identity, branding, and name recognition of the parade. His goal is to turn the event from "that funny little man's parade" into "OUR" parade, and that has happened. Strut the Hooch is now a well-known event! Moreover, the aim is to weave the eccentric personality of the parade into the fabric of downtown Columbus.

Although the Strut the Hooch parade is great fun and loved by everyone who has participated or been a spectator, there are other more subtle, yet equally important benefits of this event, such as city identity and branding, tourism, and unity.

Our sister cities have signature events they are known for, which are part of their appeal - Savannah's St. Patrick's Day parade, Macon's Cherry Blossom Festival, and Atlanta's Peachtree Road Race. Mr. Scott wanted Columbus to have something we could also become known for and has patterned the personality of the parade after the character and flavor of our downtown (Uptown), similar to the personalities featured in Garry Pound's "Downtown Denizens" exhibit on the walls of Fountain City Coffee.

The parade has become a regional event, attracting participants and spectators from as far as 200 miles away. These people dine in our restaurants and stay in our hotels and motels. In fact, Adam Masava, a visitor from Nairobi, Kenya, marched in this year's parade, which is 9,000 miles away from here!

The unity aspect involves fostering an encouraging atmosphere during the parade. With a high crime and murder rate and social divisiveness, the parade sets a positive example by promoting unity. People of all ages, races, cultures, political leanings, and sexual orientations come together. Everyone is welcome, and it works.

How can you participate? Visit the website or Facebook group. There is no fee or sign-up required. Just show up! The parade is organized shortly before kick-off time and includes staging (assembly) areas for each group - music, vehicles, costumed pets, etc. A parade staff directs participants, and the parade master (a retired Army Military Policeman, Mike Snapp) blows his whistle when it's each person's turn.

The next parade will be the 10th annual event and will take place on the first Saturday in April 2024. Come join us!

Website: [https://strutthehooch.com/](https://strutthehooch.com/)

Facebook Page: [https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjDq52n-539A...

Facebook Group: [https://www.facebook.com/groups/1571801286230888/](https://www.facebook.com/groups/1571801286230888/...

Instagram: [https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiZxoKa_J39A...

Email: [email protected]