I started the Baltimore Bubble Parade back in 2015, and it was really weird to not have it for the past two years. I’m really glad things have opened up enough that it felt safe enough to have this event again, even though so much has changed!
One thing that I knew had to change for the 6th Annual Baltimore Bubble Parade was our location. Even though the neighborhood of Hampden was amazing for five years in a row, we simply outgrew the space. It’s full of cars and intersections. We had to have an ambulance stop traffic for us! It’s just too much chaos and danger for something that’s supposed to be joyful and fun. I made the call the move us to a park that’s become really near to my heart, Riverside Park, in South Baltimore.
By moving the event here, we opened up parking options, limited safety issues, accessed new audiences, and gave new opportunities for green grass frolicking and playground playing.
Moving locations was only one of the many new things this year, though! I decided I wanted to come back with a bang and make this a little more of an involved event than “simply blowing bubbles”. The truth is that I waited too close to the actual event to decide all the things I wanted to add to the event like a selfie backdrop, props, a table of gifts, merch, costume prizes, etc. and because of how many things were going on in my regular life, it was essentially a miracle that any of them happened at all.
I was really hard on myself after the event. I expected all these brand new moving parts to go off without a hitch, but the reality is I was barely a candle burning at either end by the time this Sunday happened, and what happened is what happened!
It’s difficult to enjoy an event you host fully, the same way a participant can, but after a couple days I realized I needed to be grateful for what DID happen, not what didn’t happen. I know fully well what I feel I didn’t do my best at, and that means I have data for how to go about the next event to make it even better.
I know that so many people had fun, got dressed up, played, twirled, danced, blew bubbles, took pictures, traipsed around, laughed, played with props, won prizes, and got to feel the connection of a live event for the first time in who knows how long. I facilitated that. I’m proud of myself.
I’m also insanely grateful for my mom who helped me run errands and run the gift table. Matt who helped me make things, stay up late with me, and deal with my mental breakdowns. My dad who counted everyone who was there and give me small bills to make change. All my burner babes and anyone and everyone who carried things to and from the house and cleaned up. Anyone who took photos, like Ferd and Lola. Charlotte who helped me get grounded and pick out props. The other Charlotte who ordered pizza to revive me after. Mike for picking the food up. Everyone who sent selfies. Everyone who reminded me to have fun and slow down. Everyone who bought a gift, donated a dollar or more, who bought a bumper sticker at the event or after. Who shared the event, posted in the event, helped with marketing, let me post flyers in your store. For COMING to the event. To you for your patience as I’ve recovered this week. Everyone.
It takes a village to create a vision.
We had 230+ people at the event this year, which is lower than the 5th Annual, but I think it’s great considering a location change in a “post” pandemic world!
As much as this is a free event, things do cost money and time, and I do want to be able to continue to host free events for all ages! A great way to support Uncustomary and display your appreciation of Baltimore, Bubbles, Merriment, and/or Uncustomary is to purchase a bumper sticker! I designed them and they’re only a couple bucks on my Etsy!
You can also make a donation. My Venmo is UncustomaryLove and you can donate to my Paypal here. Every dollar helps cover costs!
I also have been making some fun gifts like bubble wand earrings. You can check those out in my shop, too!
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To incentivize costumes and people wearing their fun outfits, I made three costume prize packs. One for the best dressed adult, child, and dog. A bunch of dogs came, but no one dressed their dog up, which was the deal, so no dogs won. I’ll save that amazing prize for the next event.
Megan won the adult prize pack with her amazing handmade pom pom tulle outfit.
And this kiddo won the child prize pack with their superhero costume that came with a hat costume change in the middle of the parade.
Okay, now let’s get into the photos I know you want to see. I’ve got hundreds of them from different sources. The majority were taken by me or Ferd Brundick. Some were taken on my phone by Charlotte, some by The Coy Box, and some were submitted by participants!
Please check out Ferd Brundick’s official website!
There’s also an official photo album to check out on Facebook because only so many of them fit into a blog post!
These were crates of free bubbles I gave out!
This little babe’s yellow boots were excellent.
Honestly the outfits everywhere, there’s so much to see. Look at all the details of rainbows, tutus, smiles, and joy.
This family was on point with energy.
Emily’s flower crown and whimsy was out of control.
photo by: Emily
That’s right, load ’em up kids!
I believe this was from one of the prize packz and this kid is playing with it!
photo: Ferd Brundick
best dressed scooter for real
megaphone vibes, you ready to start the parade?
movin’ on out!
photo by: Ferd Brundick
look at all these bubbles in this photo!!
photo by: Ferd Brundick
these smiles!
photo by: Ferd Brundick
I used to ride on my dad’s shoulders all the time, I love this shot
photo by: Ferd Brundick
photo by: Ferd Brundick
Magical bubbles
Kitty’s purple wig!
This kid is way too cool
The colors of this dress!
I’m obsessed with this shot
So happy
Bubble pile up
The shoulder dads
photo by: Ferd Brundick
These kids started us out at the beginning of the parade and insisted they won haha
So when they got to the beginning point, we gave them “I look fabulous” mirrors as a prize
Pure fun
photo by: Ferd Brundick
Royalty vibes
photo by: Ferd Brundick
That green wig!
photo by: Ferd Brundick
Where’d that apple come from, bud?
You can say a lot of things about me, but I’m not beige
Bubbles on the ground
Gizmo dancing in the bubbles
Nailing it
Selfie wands for the win
photo by: Emily
Matt is my rock
Emily traipsing
photo by: Emily
Glorious chaos
photo by: Emily
This picture is a mood
photo by: Ferd Brundick
Ducks are so hot right now, I turned them into rings
This is our photographer, Ferd!
photo by: Ferd Brundick
Beautiful pup!
photo by: Ferd Brundick
Sidewalk chalk masterpieces
photo by: Emily
Double ducks!
Jenny put her Merriment Maker sticker on her Bubblegun!
This babe had an amazing outfit
photo by: @theminamae
Lola came dressed to party with those mermaids and scales!
Such big sunglasses
Dance party
Charlotte and Mike were such amazing helpers
photo by: Ferd Brundick
So many friends all in one place!!
photo by: Ferd Brundick
Are there photos of me and April not like this?
photo by: Ferd Brundick
The one time I remembered to pose!
photo by: TheCoyBox
Some more video footage by TheCoyBox!
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Bubble Parade Flickr album by Ferd Brundick
Master Bubble Parade Photo Album on Facebook