It seems crazy to even think it, but the second weekend of May saw Houston’s 22nd annual Art Car Parade. For an art form that has, at times, had precious little representation in the media, 22 years is some going – but in the home of the art car we shouldn’t be surprised that the locals are still as enthusiastic as ever. The excitement, the color and the sound that art cars provide were all in evidence again on May 9th, as Houston residents and tourists took to the streets and watched the weird and wonderful pass by.

The Art Car Parade has become something that is as much a part of Houston’s cultural and civic calendar as anything else. As the event website explains, it has evolved from simply being a bunch of weirdoes in weird cars into a “beloved tradition celebrating weirdoes in weird cars”. This year, the Art Car Parade was once again a big success, with everyone sticking to the rules: “No explosions, no projectiles, no setting your vehicle on fire”. It’s a life-affirming celebration of all that is bizarre, a journey to the outer reaches of the imagination, and it is something to celebrate.

It is a testament to the art car movement’s consistent innovation and readiness to embrace new concepts that the parade is as relevant today as it was when it first rolled out in 1987. And in 2010 it will, of course, be back and as crazy as ever. Until then, the good and easy-going people of Houston will look back on this year’s parade with fondness.