CARMEL — If you don't live in Carmel, it may seem a little extreme, but after talking to a few local residents the photos below aren't anything out of the ordinary for this time of year.
In Carmel, the 4th of July parade is a big deal, and having the best seat to watch is even more important — that's why people who live there start marking their territory, so to speak, days in advance. The earliest markers noted online began back on June 23, more than a week before the parade.
We haven't quite figured out the city's take, but the mayor's office says it isn't illegal for people to mark their spots.
Below is a look at some of the unique ways Carmelites mark their parade spots.
Sometimes, they use caution tape. (Or the Halloween version, we don't judge)
Sometimes, a garden hose will have to do.
And sometimes, a good ol' fashioned blanket and rocks will do the trick. The brighter the color, the better. (To make sure everyone can see that your spot has been claimed.)
Who says dog beds are just for dogs? They make fantastic space-savers too!
Even some of the street corners downtown are already covered in chairs.
As of Wednesday morning, many of the good spots were already claimed, but if you're planning to head to Carmel to watch the parade don't worry - there are plenty of places left to view from.
For more fun photos of spot-blocking for the Carmel parade, (and some fun captions to boot) check out this Facebook post from one of our viewers below.
