Demonstration and exhibition of team spirit and formation of communal bonds are often done by various methods. The two most common methods are March past and Parade. Both seem similar but have distinguishable differences and features. The team combination and the discipline in both the methods are distinctly different from each other.
March Past vs Parade
The main difference between March Past and Parade is that March past is a rhythmic formal type of walking which is done by soldiers or military. On the other hand, a parade is a type of procession that consists of a series of performances and consecutive displays by the crowd while moving down a street past.
March past is not conducted for the entertainment of the audience. It is either for the exercise of military troops or can even be conducted at any national event. March past does not have any political incorporation and is not conducted for any protest.
While the parade is conducted for the entertainment of the audience. It has a particular theme on which the entire parade is decorated and costumed individuals present choreographed performances on the same theme. The parade is also associated with protests. It can have the incorporation of politics.
Comparison Table Between March Past and Parade
| Parameters of Comparison | March Past | Parade |
| Type | Military affair | Public procession |
| Purpose | To commemorate national events or for military exercise | To commemorate a merry event or to display solidarity |
| Participants | In March past, a group of military personnel are involved | In the parade, there can be a group of like-minded people and costumed entertainers and performers |
| Audience | March past is not done for any audience or spectators | Parade is exclusively done for the entertainment of audience or spectators |
| Synchronization | March past is a disciplined movement and involves high synchronization | Parade may or may not involve synchronization, depending upon the theme of the parade |
What is March Past?
March past is referred to an organized and uniformed marching by military troops. It involves steady walking in the forward movement which is either route-step time or rhythmic type. March past is associated primarily with civilian and military ceremonial parades. It forms a primary structure in the basic training of the military. It involves a specific system and set of drill commands in most countries.
In march past, the main idea is to teach a soldier to march to the cadences of drum martial music and the commands. Four basic components have to be maintained by the individuals during rhythmic marching. They are dress, cover, interval, and distance which is also termed as DCID. March past is also a provocative ritual in various places.
March past is a symbol of control over a specific area and is considered a sectarian activity. Marches can be divided into various types depending upon the pace and steps. Like quick march, double march, highland march, Slow march, rifles march, French Foreign Legion pace, parade march, and Paso Legionario. The occurrence of each step is on each beat.
In march past, the term pace is used to determine the length of one step. The ideal pace is around 75 centimeters or 30 inches. During marching, the opposite arms swing with the leg to provide mechanical efficiency. However, various armed forces also keep their arms straight and the hand is swung as high as the shoulder.
What is a Parade?
A parade is referred to as a public procession that is organised usually along a street. It is accompanied by costumed individuals, floats, and huge balloons. The cause of parades can be divorce but it is usually to celebrate some event. Various protest demonstrations can be also conducted in the form of parades. Parades can be conducted for various annual events like Independence Day, Bastille Day Military Parade, Calgary Stampede parade, Easter parade, Mardi Gras, and others.
There are various types of parade like carnival parade, flower parade, boat parade, pride parade, cavalcade, techno parade, circus, victory parade, bypassed, Halloween parade, parade of nations, Santa Claus parade, a parade of horribles, motorcade, ticker-tape parade, walking day and various others.
Designation of several grand marshals is done for parades. Hanover Schützenfest is the longest parade that is conducted in Hanover every year. The length of this parade is around 12 kilometers and has over 12,000 participants all over the world. It is accompanied by 70 floats, 100 bands, and numerous carriages.
Parade float is also conducted occasionally. Initially, it was held by the parade marchers on the sure. But recently parade floats are either powered themselves or are pulled by motor vehicles. The technique of propelling by concealed oarsmen was abandoned due to the high risk of drowning. With the incorporation of technology aerial parade and sail-past are also common phenomena.
Main Differences Between March Past and Parade
- March past is not theme-based while a parade is conducted on a particular theme.
- March past is accompanied by specific marching bands while a parade is accompanied by various music and audio.
- March past does not involve any costumed individuals while a parade involves costumed individuals to perform choreographed steps.
- March past does not allow participation of celebrities or common people while parades can be conducted by celebrities or common people.
- March past is conducted on various national events or as an exercise for the military while the parade is conducted to celebrate a joyous event or to exhibit solidarity with the public.
Conclusion
March past and parade have several differences. The purpose and the ceremonial occasion of both the methods are different from each other. Both have a unique synchronization in them. The parties of participation in both March past and parade are different.
The main aim of march past is to establish disciplinary training in the military troops while the main aim of the parade is to celebrate an event. The functions of both methods are also different. Understanding the key differences between both methods help in evaluating the significance of each and the precision of every response that is happening around us.
References
- https://search.proquest.com/openview/7fb3be063c597fa325aa868cb25e9679/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=1817043
- https://www.ajkd.org/article/S0272-6386(14)70005-8/abstract