Rainbow-colored balloons floated through a cloudless vivid-blue sky, high-spirited walkers exuberantly waved signs with slogans etched on their faces, and upbeat music (provided by a posse of local DJ’s on the route) uplifted the mood.
Uh-huh!
It was a perfect day for the Annual AIDS WALK in West Hollywood, California.
Ah, but all was not right as rain, though.
Just as I strolled up to the podium to take in the opening festivities underway, activist Craig Miller (the founder of AIDS WALK Los Angeles) lamented the fact that the City of Santa Monica banned promos for the “walk” on the Big Blue Bus in the enclave at the beach for some ludicrous reason (not even worth tattling about here).
I expect that John Lennon might quip:
“Blue Meanies!”
Otherwise, the celebrations were quite festive and in-your-face, today.
It appears that about 30,000 fundraisers turned out this year – residents with dogs on leashes, young parents with babies in state-of-the-art strollers, dudes in full Drag (well, that’s WeHo for ‘ya, folks) and thousands of regular people from all walks of life anxious to participate in the worthy cause to raise funds for the treatment of AIDS, research, and to support services in the community for the afflicted.
I’ve walked each year – but, for the life of me – can’t recall just how many times that is exactly.
Today, I was forced to toss off my shirt (and show a little flesh) because it was quite a sizzler.
But, fortunately, polite well-trained volunteers were at-the-ready to hand out thirst-quenching bottles of water and juice.
Actually, the snacks on the pit stops this year were quite scrumptious.
Walkers wolfed down Bandi Ice Cream Sandwiches, licked tasty ice-cold popsicles, and snacked on granola, nutrition bars, and bags of Caramel Corn courtesy of Pop Chips.
The munchies hit the spot!
At one point on Melrose, by the way, I caught a young teen performing live on stage (wowing everyone within earshot).
I expect when the talent scouts wise up to the remarkably talented singer in their midst, the career of the stage natural will soar to great heights.
See Video below.
Other video clips taken throughout the "walk" will be posted on my YouTube site tomorrow.
At 1 p.m., the party wrapped for me – at which point - I headed to the beach to catch some rays.
Another fabulous day on planet Earth, folks!
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