'Phil Collins Day Parade' Marches Through Brooklyn (VIDEO)

Apparently, this actually happened.

Tuesday was Phil Collins Day, didn't you know?

Well 250 parade marchers in Greenpoint, Brooklyn sure took the holiday seriously. Organizers of the event promised dancers, floats, even a marching band (who played "I Can't Dance"), and they all showed up as promised.

Participants even wore creepy Phil Collins cut-out masks as they sang old Genesis songs.

Even the man himself (an imitator) hopped on a float (a car) and rode down Franklin Street until police stopped the parade. But no worries, the paradegoers then took their Phil Collins drink tickets to the nearby Shayz Lounge.

The organizers of the absolutely absurd Phil Collins Day, currently in its fifth year, explained its origins to Gothamist:

It began back at [organizer Heather Kramer's] high school in Washington as a reaction to Valentine's Day, as she "watched with disgust and awkward sadness as the halls of our high school filled with red balloons and thorny roses."

Feather had just expected a few friends at the parade, but now says "it's spread to all corners of the world wide web. And as exciting as that seems, it also makes me a little nervous. I hope, that for all who come tonight, that they come to enjoy everything that Phil represents, and to have a great time. To eat pizza, to drink Phil Collins drinks, to make Phil masks, and to enjoy this homemade parade."

Visit NYMag.com for photos of the event, and check out this video of the parade by Daily Intel:

Comments

[Max19th]

10:13 PM on 02/22/2011

I've been a big Genesis fan ever since the release of their 1980 album, Duke. Before that, I really didn't understand any of their work. Too artsy, too intellectual. It was on Duke where Phil Collins' presence became more apparent. I think Invisible Touch was the group's undisputed masterpiece. It's an epic meditation on intangibility. At the same time, it deepens and enriches the meaning of the preceding three albums. Christy, take off your robe. Listen to the brilliant ensemble playing of Banks, Collins and Rutherford. You can practically hear every nuance of every instrument.

[BassguyGG]

10:51 AM on 02/22/2011

Oh those sarcastic hipsters, way too cool for anything like Phil Collins! Never mind that he has succeeded both on the charts (SIX multiplatinum albums), achieved artistic credibility (Brand X) and played on some CLASSIC rock albums (e.g., "Lamb Dies Down on Broadway, Genesis Live,). Not to mention his yeoman's work at Live Aid, playing on BOTH sides of the pond the same day! OK maybe his music isn't your cup of tea but don't diss the man!

[Huntingtonbeachboy]

08:52 PM on 02/19/2011

and cue the drums.....boom boom ba boom ba boom boom ba boom.......I can hear it in the air tonight...........

[Tom for Prez]

01:53 PM on 02/18/2011

i wish i was there, i wish i saw what they all did, i wish i saw it with my own 2 eyes.

[dancingstu]

03:37 PM on 02/18/2011

I live down the road from where the parade happened, and I swear ...
 
I could hear it coming in the air that night.  Oh Lord.

[dancingstu]

03:40 PM on 02/18/2011

Judging by a few of the negative responses here, I'm guessing there were some people in the area that were saying to themselves, "I wish it would rain down."

[dancingstu]

09:59 AM on 02/18/2011

It may have been Phil Collins Day for them, but ... it's just another day for you and me in paradise.

[VanTroi]

08:33 AM on 02/18/2011

Hipsters are ruining BK

[Ryosuke91t]

02:34 PM on 02/21/2011

how?
with their constant awesome?

[Max Shaw]

04:55 PM on 02/17/2011

The Hipster Virus is mutating to include more obscure preferences. Its now called HV-PC1.

[johnpherson]

03:41 PM on 02/17/2011

Having lived on this very block on Franklin St. for 10 mostly happy years all I can say is that I'm glad now that I moved a couple years ago. Greenpoint used to be a decent alternative to the much of the hipster stupidity that had overrun the once cool Williamsburg. The better days of it's being an alternative are over.

[Ryosuke91t]

02:37 PM on 02/21/2011

a.k.a
youth is for the young.

Park Slope has been ruined to with strollers and oldsters everywhere.

[nermz345]

03:17 PM on 02/17/2011

this is awesome!

[VanTroi]

08:32 AM on 02/18/2011

not

[nermz345]

11:21 AM on 02/18/2011

thank you so much for raining on my parade

[nermz345]

11:21 AM on 02/18/2011

not everyone that likes phil collins is a hipster.

[Chris Lawson]

02:06 PM on 02/17/2011

Phil Collins ROCKS! You get on a drum kit and play "In the Cage" medley from Three Sides Live. I'll wait. Go get a drum kit and try it.

[katiewon1]

01:50 PM on 02/17/2011

That's just hilarious!

[relater]

01:27 PM on 02/17/2011

OMG, they're serious. Well, hipsters like Coldplay, too. Apparently a congenital disease.

[Max19th]

10:10 PM on 02/22/2011

Yep, Hipsters are the ONLY folks who can enjoy PhilC. Thats why his records all sold so well, its because of a large hipster fanbase.

[StillMadMatt]

05:55 AM on 02/17/2011

Loading sniper rifle now....

[shthar]

03:01 AM on 02/17/2011

I always liked the Peter Gabriel Day Parade.

The floats were longer and more intricate.

[Montcalms Revenge]

05:57 AM on 02/17/2011

Especially when they "Shock the Monkey"... ;-)

[cameron d]

10:00 AM on 02/17/2011

Hahahaha.

[jonnyquest]

12:31 AM on 02/17/2011

Why wasn't this promoted more? I think they could've drawn at least a dozen people if they'd been on the ball.
What's next, a Mork and Mindy parade?

[Max Shaw]

04:56 PM on 02/17/2011

Three's Company.

[jonnyquest]

11:44 PM on 02/17/2011

Yep, could draw enough to get a pick up basketball game there. :)