PROVINCETOWN — A fledgling nonprofit put on a one-day celebration back in 1978 and called it Carnival. The idea was to drum up gay and lesbian tourism during August’s sleepy third week. Forty-five years later, an estimated 150,000 people poured onto Commercial Street, according to the event’s organizers at the Provincetown Business Guild.
The Aug. 17 parade showcased more than 60 floats and inspired thousands of locals and visitors to don costumes on a hazy, damp Thursday. And given this year’s theme, “Land of Toys,” yes, there were Barbies everywhere.
Among the visitors were Michelle and Fred Hawick of Orleans. This year marked their seventh parade. They arrived early and chose a spot at the beginning of the route in the far East End along the harbor. Though the Hawicks wore whimsical, vaguely Raggedy Andy and Ann ensembles, they said they didn’t mean to portray specific toys. “This is what we were able to put together,” said Fred, smiling under his bright red wig and a cowboy hat.
Nearby, at the Harbor Hotel’s parking lot, local performers adjusted their costumes as artists and builders gave floats their last touch-ups before the official 3 p.m. parade start.
Patrick Luteran, who designed and built the float for the Provincetown Book Shop, was there giving it a once-over. “It took probably around 20 to 30 hours from start to finish,” he said.
Luteran was among the seven artists chosen by the PBG for its Artist Matchmaking Program. The initiative paid for local artists to design and build floats for local businesses.
“The goal is to spotlight the remarkable local artists, both queer and non-queer, while alleviating the financial burden for businesses who want to be part of the event,” said Trevor Pittinger, the Guild’s associate director. Pittinger envisions including as many as 40 sponsored artists in future parades.
The PBG reported a 15- to 20-percent surge in attendance over last year at its official Carnival week events, and Pittinger said that on parade day the town felt notably busier than the preceding days had. Navigating the stretch of Commercial Street from Wired Puppy to the Boatslip on Thursday afternoon was a challenge, even for those walking in the parade.
Winston Martinez, from Framingham, found himself engulfed by the crowd as he strutted in one of the day’s most extravagant costumes, all golden robes encrusted with fake jewels, which he said was crafted by David Rosinky. Hearing the crowd clapping and yelling as he walked in the parade was “amazing,” he said. “It was crazy, but I loved it.”
