On August 23 .. several in the Chautauqua Lake Pops organization met for a summer picnic at the Pops site in Mayville with the floating stage nearby .. a stage that has seen many a tribute band for the enjoyment of all Pops ticket holders in Bemus Point and in Mayville. Dan and Sue Dalpra reminisced about the inaugural year of the Pops in 2019 and how disappointing it was to not have a 2020 season though we all look forward to seeing the Pops return in 2021.
On that date in late August .. was the running of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, the Indy 500 despite the absence of dedicated race fans filling the grandstands. Unfortunately, with races whether it be Indy, Nascar or Formula 1 there are crashes. So with just 7 laps to go Indy driver, Spencer Pigot spun out and hit the end of a pit row retaining wall halting the race to the checkered flag. The 2020 race was finished under a yellow caution flag. Race car driver, Takuma Sato won the race with a Honda engine. Finishing the race today was Takuma Sato, Scott Dixon (after leading 101 laps) and Graham Rahal .. 1, 2, 3. Sato is now in the record books as a 2 time winner of the Indy 500. Personally, I was hoping Marco Andretti would be drinking and pouring that bottle of milk over his face and hat though the Andretti name had the pole position in Row 1 after time trials held on the prior Sunday.
So in 2020 .. the race that is usually run over Memorial Day weekend was run in the month of August with empty grandstands and no balloons afloat prior to the race though military jets flew overhead and the very traditional Back Home in Indiana was performed as was the National Anthem by 2 frontline nurses in the fight against COVID-19. Having been to this historic race in 1984 the winner was Rick Mears and it was an experience I have carried with me ever since! When the Purdue band played Back Home in Indiana, the colorful balloons went skyward and the Gentlemen Start your Engines command was given to the 33 drivers I felt a lump in my throat that didn't go away until the checkered flag waved on that beautiful sunny race day in Indianapolis, Indiana .. in the heartland of America.
An Indy 500 Winning Smile!
We are living in strange times with the Kentucky Derby usually being held the first Sunday in May now having been held this year on September 5. Your Derby hat perhaps was decorated with Fall flowers though your mint julep was more than likely the same when we heard the announcer at that racetrack say .. Rider's Up!
If a COVID vaccine is hopefully found by 2021, I predict as does Danica Patrick .. the attendance at the 2021 Indy 500 will be .. "the best ever"!
If a COVID vaccine is hopefully found by 2021, I predict .. the attendance at the 2021 Chautauqua Lake Pops will be .. the best ever!
Until there is a safe vaccine .. be safe, wear your mask and social distance.
Thank You.
Pat Locke
Maestro Muse
Pat Locke
Maestro Muse
