SF "mermayd" parade needs re-routing

On Sunday, 7 May 2006, I marched in SF's second annual "mermayd" parade.
A small but cheerful crowd of persons in costumes trudged a very long distance
on sidewalks along Howard Street, from Second Street to the Howard
("How Wierd") streetfair (around 11th?).
Along Howard Street, we found many cars and very few pedestrians,
so that very few people saw us.
When we got to the fair, we were routed along an alley, into a side entrance,
so that very few fair-goers were even aware that a parade had arrived. [ Compare this to how a lighted parade dramatically enters the Castro Halloween celebration, each Oct. 31.]
By the time we got there, the fair had been going on for quite a while.
As of 2006, the mermayd parade is a nice idea that needs to be reshaped.
There's no reason to walk almost a mile along a street where few people are present.
Instead, the parade route should start closer to the fair.
For example, assemble in Civic Center Plaza, then walk along 9th street to Howard,
then follow Howard to the main entrance of the fair.
Also, the parade should start in the morning, arriving soon after the fair opens.


-- Tortuga
May 7

PS: The organizers might also think about inviting more groups to participate in the mermayd parade? Such as the famous "salmon" runners who "swim upstream" at Bay To Breakers?
And environmental groups which focus on beaches, oceans, and marine life? And surfers?