First Parade passes by

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Thousands of men, women and children waited in the cold along Pennsylvania… WASHINGTON, D.C. — Thousands of men, women and children waited in the cold along Pennsylvania Avenue for a glimpse of the United States’ chief executive.

George W. Bush was sworn in for his second term as the 43rd president of the United States. After a short inaugural address and lunch with other government leaders, he rode in the 55th Inaugural Parade, the ceremonial journey from the Capitol to the White House.

The parade began next to John Marshall Park at 3 p.m., an hour behind schedule.

With 120 performing acts and more than 5,000 participants from the armed forces alone, the parade lasted more than two and a half hours and attracted visitors from all over the country and the world.

Geoff Bach, of Geoff Bach Juggling Entertainment in Erie, Pa., made his first inaugural appearance in yesterday’s parade. Though the juggler had already encountered a big-time event by appearing at the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia, he was still excited about his time on the parade route. Most of all, he said, he looked forward to juggling for the president as the motorcade passed his venue area.

“I’ve often thought, ‘How the heck can I do something for this country?'” Bach said before the inauguration. “I’m just not a fighter, not in the military or anything. When I saw this, it was like, ‘Hey! I can go juggle at the inauguration!'”

He had only a short time to juggle for Bush, but that was enough to compensate for the difficulties he had adapting his act for the parade. Security precautions forced him to leave behind the knives, machetes and torches he would normally use in his act. Despite the absence of dangerous objects flying through the air, his performance proved entertaining. Observers settled for watching as many as seven objects flying through the air between hand-warming breaks.

“It’s kind of tricky juggling outside in January,” he said with a laugh. “I’m supposed to do a bit with a bowling ball — if my hands are OK, that is.”

The former “Cirque Ingenieux” performer was unsure of what to expect from the experience, but he was sure that it would be unlike anything he had ever done.

“It’s going to be neat,” Bach said. “Everyone’s asking me, ‘What’s the plan?’ and all I know is I have to be at the Pentagon at 6:15 a.m. on Thursday.”

While Bach might be a newcomer to the Washington, D.C., event, other Pennsylvania participants have already been on the route a time or two.

The Washington Crossing Foundation, out of Bristol, Pa., had been to both presidential and gubernatorial inaugural parades. This year, the foundation sent the Ann Hawkes Hutton Durham Boat to accompany the Washington Crossing Re-enactors Society.

“It’s great fun, both for the re-enactors and the people watching,” said Kate Hutton Tweedy, a volunteer for the foundation.

The boat was restored for yesterday’s parade, repainted and decorated by many volunteers. But after months of hard work, the volunteers’ job didn’t end with restoration.

Yesterday, those heading to Washington, D.C., had an early start. The bus left Bristol at 5 a.m., getting the re-enactors and supporters to Capitol Hill in time for the parade despite inclement weather. After security checks and preparations, the group took its turn on the parade route before heading back to Bristol, making a 17-hour road trip of the parade. Tweedy said it was all worth it, despite the long hours.

“It was important we participate in history,” she said. “And this is a history-making event.”

The area around the parade route, a three-mile strip of downtown Washington, was sealed off into secure areas by the U.S. Secret Service, and two subway stations were closed for most of yesterday in preparation for the parade. People were not permitted in the parade areas for any reason until 9 a.m.

“I got to get to work, and now I have to wait in line when I’m already late,” said one man, a janitor. “This is ridiculous. I didn’t even vote for the guy.”

Law enforcement officials from all over the country joined Washington Metropolitan police officers and uniformed Secret Service agents along the president’s parade route. Pittsburgh police officers and Pennsylvania state troopers were among the contingents of guards in the city and surrounding area yesterday.

“We came out east for this cold,” joked a Los Angeles County sheriff. “It shows how much we love our country.”

Bush and his wife, Laura, spent the first half of the procession in a limousine with darkly tinted windows, flanked by Secret Service agents on foot and in other vehicles. Farther down Pennsylvania Avenue, the pair emerged from the car and walked along the street for seven minutes.

Many spectators were disappointed by the president’s lack of a strong appearance early in the parade.

“It would have been nice if [Bush] had rolled [down] his window and waved,” said Tracy West, of Los Angeles. “It wasn’t worth it at all.”

“It’s a rip-off,” said Mustapha Sagna, a visitor from France. “I’m freezing. I came all this way and now I feel stupid.”

Others were more understanding of the president’s decision to remain in his limo.

“Yeah, it’s chilly and cold, but it was really worth it,” said Jessica Sweat, of Knoxville, Tenn.

“It’s something I can tell my grandchildren I saw,” said Adam Crandell, of Davenport, Iowa. “I understand Bush stayed in for most of the time because of security reasons, or just the cold.”