Saturday, October 30, 2004

The Slither is Dead....Long live the Slither!!!

GHOSTS OF HALLOWEEN PAST

It is with sorrow that I write these words, tonight the very last Slither is being held and I am not taking part in the historic event. For over 20 years the Slither has been as much a part of Halloween as carved pumpkins. It began with a handful of ingenious and serious revelers intent on having a night to remember. We take to the streets of an area of Louisville called Germantown which boasts of having a bar on every corner and then some! As the years progressed the numbers who joined the ranks swelled. We Slither twice a year, on the eve of the Kentucky Derby and the Halloween weekend.

The streets of Germantown are generally quiet, being a blue collar area. On Halloween when the masses take to the streets, it becomes a noisy phenomenon of fifty to seventy unruly dressed up frolicking idiots. The theme changes from year to year.

All good things must come to an end...Or at least that is what they tell us. The organizers of the annual event, one of which is my BIL, have concluded it is time to pass the torch to a younger generation. As of today, there were no takers. Such a sad ending to a spectacular and highly anticipated event.

I think there is time......When the Derby draws near and reality knocks, someone will step up and take charge. Something as precious as the origin of the Mother of all hangovers has got to live on!

(The picture is from a few years ago when the theme was your favorite character from a 60's or 70's tv program.  From left to right, I am Ginger from Gilligans Island, Omega is Hot Lips from MASH, My BIL (not Omega's husband but Mid-Sis) is Jethro (he almost took out  several people with that frying pan, including himself) and Zorro is ...... we could never quite figure out who he was!!!!)

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

That photo is so cute. Sorry you didn't go this year for whatever reason. You made a great Ginger. You're still young at heart! Didn't they allow the older generation! Ah!
Well, you have lots of great memories. : )
Angela

Anonymous said...

You made a wonderful Ginger.  Hope somebody picks up that torch by Derby Day.  It sounds like a wonderful party tradition.

Anonymous said...

great pic
Lori

Anonymous said...

Oh, that's too sad!!  It sounds like such fun!!  You'd think the bar owners would take over or appoint someone to do it.  Surely, they're missing out on a BIG seller night, you know?  May The Slither Rest in Peace.  :(

Anonymous said...

Sounds like so much fun!  I love the picture!  JAE

Anonymous said...

Great picture and good memories. You and Zorro make a good team. Jethro just cracks me up, rope belt and all.   Anne

Anonymous said...

HOW CUTE!!!

Happy Halloween, even w/o the Derby. I hope someone carries it on.

E

Anonymous said...

Wow, that sounds like fun.
V

Anonymous said...

Sounds like what I did one year in Chapala, Mexico on All Saints Eve.  A lot of fun!  Too bad you are missing out on this.

Monica
http://journals.aol.com/sonensmilinmon/MamarazziInAction/
http://journals.aol.com/sonensmilinmon/SmilinMonsAdventures/

Anonymous said...

Party poopers....Sorry no one would take up the torch.  Sounds like it was a lot of fun!

Anonymous said...

sound like a great time!  
~JerseyGirl

Anonymous said...

A blues brother?  Happy Hangover!  Lisa  :-]

Anonymous said...

oh you are gorgeoussssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

Anonymous said...

Mary,  you look better than the original "Ginger"!  Hope all is well with you and yours.

Best wishes,
Debi

Anonymous said...

Zorro looks like Frank Sinatra. Maybe Frank was in town to sing a duet with Jethro.

Anonymous said...

You are a good looking group.  Ginger is hot!  No wonder the Skippy did whatever she asked! LOL!

Long live Slither in photos and memories!

Anonymous said...

Tis a sad day dear woman!!! judi

Anonymous said...

I'm glad Omega wasn't Mary Ann...I would have been apoplectic.

Anonymous said...

lol, atleast I know to goto Louisville next year for the real party!

Anonymous said...

I was born in Louisville. :-)

Anonymous said...

Wonderful Journal!  Ah.  The power of the pen!  I love to see writers write.

http://journals.aol.com/sirenspeaks/PoetryinMotion/

Anonymous said...

I remember when you first wrote about the SLITHER. I was awed and wanted to share in such revelry. I actually though of trying to put together my own SLITHER. But Alas, I am to old to spend the night drinking and having fun. For me it is one or two drinks and bed. Whoopee!! Sorry about the demise of the SLITHER. But, I suspect you have fantastic memories. My Regards, Bill.

Anonymous said...

awww..you are the cutest thing! A great Ginger!

Anonymous said...

::plays 'Taps' in honor of the Slither::

Anonymous said...

Aw...I remember your previous Slither entry. Long live the Slither, but alas all things someday must end. :-( ---Robbie