It’s been a long time since I’ve seen so many happy faces, and it’s all thanks to HONK!TX. Austin’s own Minor Mishap Marching Band and Samba School were joined by community street-band aggregations from all over the country. The march was from City Hall east all the way to the Pan American amphitheater. What a treat!

And it was easy to stop off at the HOPE farmers market afterward for some tomato plants and Brussels sprouts from Johnson’s Backyard Garden, and wurst of the very best kind from Salt & Time. Today’s market seemed to have been displaced by Fader Fort events and so was set up next to Cheer Up Charlie’s, probably temporarily.

I was sorry to see that the Tejano mural, complete with Selena, on the old Iron Gate has been obliterated to make way for a depiction of a crown, since the freshly painted Iron Gate is now disguised as the Violet Crown Social Club.

See the following souvenirs of today’s fun: three unedited videos (if the long parade video is not yet available, check back) and a bunch of toy-camera photographs. Austin has been at its best today.