I used to hate country music. Not sure why. My early years were spent in Houston, Texas and my parents played it on the radio all the time. I’m talking about early ‘80s country music; classics like Willie Nelson, George Jones and early Dolly Parton.
I find the older I get the more I like these artists and their music. I can’t say that the songs age well or that my ears became more mature over time. I attribute the change in taste simply to nostalgia. In short, it reminds me of my dad.
If I hear Dave Frizzel’s “I’m Gunna Hire a Wino,” I am immediately transported to the backseat of my parent’s car with my dad in the driver’s seat, belting out the words, slapping his knee and tapping his foot. My dad was fearless when it came to singing in the car. He didn’t care who was around, he loved country music and he wasn’t afraid to show it. Now I listen to it and it makes me feel closer to him.
As I approach my mid-life crisis, I notice I am easily taken back in time with certain songs, smells and situations. I recently found myself in a Burger King. The smell of the Whopper took me right back to summer school in 1992. I wasn’t the most physically active kid and avoided physical education in my high school electives until I was forced to take a training class that summer. Every day, after finishing the circuit course at Ward Park, I’d eat a Whopper. One whiff of that greasy burger and I can feel the heat of the summer sun standing in that park like it was a new Meta world.
Perhaps I am in a nostalgic mood, walking down memory lane because of gay day at Disney and the glorious events that surround the tradition. This was the first year in a long time that all the events were back together after a three-year hiatus, in full force. It felt good.
There are definite moments during Orlando’s big queer weekend that are essential to my enjoyment. These moments take me back to the first time I experienced them and are indicative of the festivities. The first is Thursday mornings and the opening of the Gay Days Expo at their host hotel. It’s full of excitement and anticipation of the days to come. I always make sure I am working at the Watermark booth that morning because it reminds me of all the fun I had there, especially the year Kathleen Sadler began working at Watermark. It was her first week and what a first week it was!
Then comes Friday night at Typhoon Lagoon. For me, this is the ultimate One Magical Weekend event. Maybe I am biased since this event was originally created by Watermark, but I can float down the lazy river with my friends and remember every year I spent there, even the drunk years – and that’s saying a lot. Finishing the night surfing the Wave pool is tradition and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. The team at One Magical Weekend really goes all out and makes this event inclusive and fun for everyone.
The big show comes on Saturday, the actual gay day at Disney, and it wouldn’t be complete without the 1 p.m. Country Bears Jamboree. There is nothing like it all weekend. The theater is filled with red shirts who make the show way more interactive than its creators had in mind. It’s delightful and it reminds me of the days when the lines to all the rides at the park were full of red shirts and people singing.
After the bears, it’s time to gather in front of Cinderella’s castle for the 3 o’clock parade. This is the original tradition and cornerstone of which everything else was built. The sea of red has dwindled from time to time, but the power is still there – at least for me.
It felt really good to experience everything again this year. It didn’t feel 100% the same, but what ever does? I’m not one to say everything has to remain the same, and I don’t hold on to or try to keep reliving my past. It’s nice though, when you get to share in traditions and watch a new generation of people get excited about the same things you did when you were their age.
I feel like the world was testing the waters this year to see if it was possible, and it is. There were plenty of new experiences that were stunning surrounding the Pride Cup. I hope the festivities continue to grow and gay day gets back to its former glory, not for nostalgia but so more and more people get to experience the rich history and meaning of this important day and the events that surround it.
We strive to bring you a variety of stories, your stories. I hope you enjoy this latest issue.
