​With the greatest of care, we changed into our costumes and fitted on our drums, adjusting harnesses and cuffing pants as needed.  Some STOMP Troopers donned noise cancelling headphones, others opted not to.  The krewe was delighted with their first look at themselves in their full regalia.  Parents stood by, admiring and assisting, and holding extra props.
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Kevin and other members of Preservation Hall were on hand to help the group warm up run through their drumming routine.  When everyone was dressed, ready and assembled, the STOMP Troopers marched around the block, accompanied by Preservation Hall, parent escorts, Red Shirt Rebellion volunteers, and NOLArts staff and volunteers.

Jan 30th was warm and clear, perfect parade weather.  A couple of parents had last-minute jitters.  "I am worried he's going to get too tired," texted one.  "I sure hope he's up for this," said another.  Would their anxieties come true?  Could the kids rise to the occasion?

Fortunately, Kerrie graciously opening her home to the group, allowing the families to gather there before the start of the parade.  Kids snacked, dressed, chatted and petted her enormous therapy dog while volunteers held the group's place in the parade lineup.  

Minimizing the time the kids would spend waiting in line was essential- standing around idly while anticipating a new experience is incredibly stressful for most people with autism.  Having a quiet place to munch on pizza and chips instead of standing around in line was a true saving grace.

Crowds of revelers crowded every block.  They cheered.  They waver.  They clapped.  They pointed.  They took pictures.  They called out "STOMP Troopers!" and "Dark Side!" and (mostly) "Wooooooo!"

Every STOMP Trooper's face lit up with a huge grin.  They banged their drums just as they'd rehearsed.  They waved. They high-fived.  They pressed doubloons into the many outstretched hands. 

Parents helped kids keep the pace with gentle ushering, passed them doubloons, retrieved dropped sticks and handed out bottled water.

Preservation Hall played old standards like "Ain't my Fault" and "Liza Jane", plus the Star Wars theme song and the theme for the Dark Side.  Casey and the IDIYA drummers helped the kids find their own beat within the overarching melody.

Halfway through the parade, Win Butler, lead singer of the indie band Arcade Fire, joined the band lineup.  Proving that he's an awesome guy, he switched instruments with Simon, taking Simon's trash can lid in exchange for his cowbell, which Simon played ferociously but with a perfectly steady beat, not unlike Animal from the Muppet Show.

In fact, the event brought out some 

In fact, on the day of the parade, talents we had never seen before emerged unexpectedly.  Simon spontaneously emitted bursts of rapid and perfectly timed drumming,  Sami handed out doubloons perfectly, making eye contact, smiling and moving on with no attempts to sneak in an extra high-five or handshake (a habit he's been working to break).  Miklos kept up a steady beat in time with the music.  Jhett showed off for the crowd like a perfect rock star, waving his trash can lid cymbals over his head and egging on the crowd.  When the parade dragged on for a (very) unexpected THREE hours, Susan trooped along without complaining, even removing her headphones to take it all in.

When they reached the end of the route, the kids were exhausted but elated.  "He could keep going," marveled the mother who had worried that her child would be too tired as she watched her son continue to twirl his drumsticks.

"We did it!" crowed Oliver.  The whole crew cheered.  

A perfect WIN for the Dark Side!  

Expect STOMP Troopers re-invade again in 2017....