How to be a Harvard Hasty Pudding Parade Spectator

One of New England's quirkier traditions occurs just shy of Valentine's Day. Harvard University's Hasty Pudding Theatrical Company throws a parade honoring such luminaries as Jodie Foster, Scarlet Johanneson, Kathleen Turner, Whoopie Goldberg, Halle Barry, Drew Barrymore, Sarah Jessica Parker, Katherine Hepburn and for 2008, Charlize Theron.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• warm clothes
• subway fare
• camera

1. 
    
   Superman, Batman and Robin lend their support to the Hasty Pudding parade.

   A time honored tradition of Harvard University's Hasty Pudding Theatrical Club is to honor a Hollywood starlet with a roast and a parade - and the awarding of the coveted Hasty Pudding Pot.

2. 
    
   Miss Massachusetts joins in the festivities.

   The parade is usually a few days before Valentine's day and goes down Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge; the liberal heart of the Commonwealth of Mass. The media and Internet usually have all the necessary skinny that you'll need about who's the star and when to go by late January-early February.

3. 
    
   Unicyclist shows off his skills.

   It's a small parade, but you never know who or what might turn up - llamas, leaping Elvises, stilt walkers, superheroes, unicyclists, jugglers, giant rats, bagpipers, Miss Massachusetts, etc. You CAN count on the Hasty Pudding men honoring the age old theatrical tradition of dressing in drag - the more outrageous and colorful; the better. Talk about your drama queens!

4. 
    
   Charlize Theron enjoys her day in the sun. (Actually, it was snowing.)

   Then, of course; the starlet of the show. Charlize Theron in 2008 continued the tradition of riding in an open convertible escorted by the Harvard dragsters.
   If you get there early and in a good postion, you might just get a nice photo!

Tips & Warnings

• Get there early and go to the starting point for the best potential photos.
• A "Man of the Year" is honored as well - in 2008, it was Christopher Walken. The male honoree does not get a parade, and unfortunately, the roasts for neither male nor female honorees are open to the general public
• Parking spaces are difficult to come by in Harvard Square. You're better off getting on the subway's Red Line and getting off at the Harvard stop.
• It's almost always cold in Cambridge in February, so dress warmly. there may be snow on the ground and/or falling as well.

[KatYares]

on 2/12/2008 Sounds like a fun time!