You couldn’t have asked for better weather at today’s Columbus Day Parade on Shrewsbury Street. In what is essentially a celebration of Italian heritage, it’s clear Worcester’s celebration is pretty inclusive — unless, of course, those are authentic Italian kilts worn in the photo above.

The one thing you couldn’t find much of this year was food vendors, though. Moe’s Hot Dogs’ truck was parked across from Coral Seafood and Gentile’s Service Station had a barbecue going. From Washington Square to Coral Seafood, however, there weren’t any other vendors I spotted (with the exception of four or five balloon and souvenir vendors). Admittedly, I can’t recall if there used to be more, but it did raise the question of whether the new city ordinance cracking down on food vendors had an impact. When I asked the guy at Moe’s about it … well, I won’t print it here, but let’s just say every other word was f#%*!

The problem that creates was probably best summed up by a woman I saw walking back and fourth in front of the parade review stand before I finally heard her say “Where on earth can you buy a bottle of water around here?”

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