Yesterday was the annual Tartan Day Parade, which attracted had 2,000 marchers on a fine but windy day. One participant, Chuck Kaba of Canada's Royal Highland Regiment, told the Daily News he wasn't worried about his kilt flying up, "It's a 17-ounce, government-issued kilt, so it won't raise up."
The parade also had the notable distinction of being the first parade under the city's new rules that shorten parade routes by 25% (a cost-saving measure for the city), so it only went between 45th Street and 55th Street along Sixth Avenue. One bagpiper told the NY Times before the parade, "If all the Scots that are taking part in the parade can help the city save a few bob, then that’s a good thing," and reflected that bagpiping and marching is "definitely more than just walking. You’re blowing into the bag. Using a lot of energy. The parade is 10 blocks. I think that suits more people."
Still, some marchers told the News that the cops were rushing them, but one pointed out the upside: "The shorter the better. We can go have a pint."
