Best Parade

Art Car ParadeThis year's parade, the 17th, featured a dragon, a cadre of Elvises and a giant George W. Bush thrusting his pelvis into a big globe. Whether you like the downright wacky entries or the ones with a little more edge, you can't help but admire the art car owners' craftsmanship and questionable sanity. Every year, hundreds of Houston's car artists unveil their winged, painted and appliquéd creations for the thousands of folks who line Allen Parkway. Every wagon, hearse and monster truck is tricked out (not to mention the occasional scooter and bike) in this true Houston original. It's best to get there early to find a shady spot and watch what happens when Henry Ford meets Salvador Dalí.