A sea of purple was the theme of the day

So yesterday's best unit in the King Mango Strut had to be the Coconut Grove Gripe Vine, even if I do say so myself. I actually had nothing to do it, it was all a pleasant surprise.

I like to call it "AnnaMaria Knows Best" or "Leave it to AnnaMaria," since AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt came up with the whole concept and so many clever ideas, like the "Anonymous" people with bags over their heads and signs that said, "Center Grove Mafia member, please raise your hands . . ." That's Rafael Gutierrez above, one of the great grape bunch, with AnnaMaria.


Issa, left, and Alexis, right, carried the Gripe Vine banner.


So many people I know and love were part of the group. Here is Garland on the Grape Escape bike, Louis Del Borrello as a bunch of grapes and Ellen, our town clairvoyant, as the Queen of the Grapes.


Jessica came all the way down from Fort Lauderdale to strut.


Twins Kianosh (3 am) and Arman (5 am) Kremer, were so funny as the battling bar closing times. They would hit each other over the head with purple balloons yelling, "3 am, or "5 am," respectively. Michelle Niemeyer, looked pretty in purple.


Here are the twins battling it out on Main Highway as they made their way down the parade route. Rosie Brown was another bunch of grapes and her husband (not shown) went around with one of the "Anonymous" signs.


Two of my favorite girls, Karen Deilke and Trina Collins had the best ride in the house, in the back of Sandy Pukel's orange Beatle Bug convertible, which led the purple paraders. Liz Gibson, right, is always part of the fun, she even died her hair purple for the occasion.


Louis Del Borrello and Jerry Wade carried a couple of dubious signs. I think Jerry's is supposed to be turned around to read some Grape Vine-related message. Theresa Calluori, carried an anti-Parking Authority-related sign.

I'm really pleased and happy to say I was wrong in my apprehension. It made me smile the whole time. It was all so cleverly done. I was honored to have the Grapevine be the subject of this great purple brigade. Everyone who was a part of it did a tremendous job.