“Bueller?... Bueller?... Bueller?” Tropical Storm Hanna left a lot of people hanging in September when it forced the cancellation of the 2008 Deitch Art Parade and, with it, the much talked about “Project Bueller” float and performance piece. But salvation, at least for the latter, will come after all. Event organizers confirmed Tuesday that the Ferris Bueller float will be a participant in this year’s Village Halloween Parade.
The brainchild of artists Mina Karimi and Kara Suhey, Project Bueller aims to recreate the Von Steuben Day parade scene from the 1986 John Hughes film Ferris Bueller's Day Off. The scene in question, you might remember, finds Matthew Broderick taking over a parade float and inspiring much of Chicago to join him in a round of the Beatles’ “Twist and Shout.”
In addition to participation from people on the float (who will be wearing matching barmaid uniforms), organizers are hoping parade watchers will help out. Everyone is encouraged to wear '80s business casual attire for added authenticity.
“It’s just the kind of thing we love,” said the parade’s artistic producing director, Jeanne Fleming. “The Halloween Parade, in one sense, is the Art Parade. A lot of the same folks work on both. And if you’re going to put that much effort out there, you might as well get it seen by a million people.”
A million isn’t an exaggeration. If anything, it’s an understatement. The 20-block route that takes the parade from SoHo to Chelsea every October 31 is lined with about 2 million spectators, seen by 1 million on television, and draws more than 50,000 participants.
