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Societal Anomalies
The Sycamore Centennial Parade follows a trio of small-town men who find themselves in charge of promoting their town’s centennial celebration, leading to a series of comical mishaps and adventures. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
When I was a kid, all of the old B&W comedy films found new life filling empty television space. We watched W.C. Fields, Abbott & Costello, the Marx Brothers, and the Bowery Boys constantly. All of those films contained characters that were societal anomalies, indifferent to how dysfunctional they appeared to everyone else.
In The Sycamore Centennial Parade, I tried to create a story that generated that same ambiance. A tale about people with good hearts but not quite well-behaved.
What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?
I liked Poodle. I liked his innocence. I thought of him as a 300 lb. 10-year-old. Very simple. Not stupid, just uncomplicated. Always playing around and easily distracted.
Raoul was the most challenging character to create. I wanted him to teeter along the edge of ‘disliked’ but never actually lose his balance. Like Jericho, I see him as an overall good person, he just has crappy, self-absorbed social skills.
I found this novel to be a cutting piece of satire. What is one thing that you hope readers take away from your novel?
Every time an insurance company busts a scam, they add a clause to everyone’s contract, just to make sure it doesn’t happen again. Sometimes the volume of rules and laws in life seem to mirror that same ‘guilty by association’ concept. And the absurdity of requirements can, on a less than good day, border on overwhelming. But if you don’t comply, you’re the problem.
Learn to see it for what it is. Find humor in the unnecessary, nonsensical dogma. You can’t change it. And it’s not going away on its own. But you can always laugh at it.
What story are you currently in the middle of writing?
I’m currently sketching an outline for a piece with the working title of The Nude Eel. It’s about a formerly wealthy family coming to terms with the depression of the 1930’s. The family matriarch left stipulations in her will for anyone interested in getting what is left of the family fortune. Needless to say, none of her survivors are happy. But all of them are desperate.
Some humor. (people are always people) But darker and more serious than the first book.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website
However, it’s his wife that needs his help. So, he’s committed to succeeding. Sort of. And as long as there is no free food, bright lights, or anything shiny along the way, he’ll be fine.
But, to those with child-like wonder, the world is an endless adventure of distractions. And soon enough, Clark, joined by his best friend and fellow buffoon, Babylon Hurley, finds himself anywhere but on the straight and narrow path to success.
They played kickball. He had his fortune read. They went fishing. His knuckles are bleeding. And the police want to talk to him. The cookies though, they were pretty good.
Join our well-intentioned heroes, on this ever-twisting comical romp, as they take the road less traveled to a victory even less foreseen.
The Sycamore Centennial Parade (Part I)
In The Sycamore Centennial Parade, Charles McGrail spins a nostalgic, often hilarious yarn about a trio of quirky small-town characters—Babylon “Milkman” Hurley, his brother-in-law Clark “Poodle” Canderankle, and the indomitable Jericho—who bumble their way into promoting their town’s centennial celebration. Set in 1978, Sycamore, the story draws from everyday absurdity to craft a heartwarming comedy of errors, rich with banter, unlikely schemes, and quiet reflections on identity, family, and small-town life. As Jericho rallies her lovable but unreliable crew to canvas local businesses for parade support, what unfolds is less a professional campaign and more a slow-moving circus, complete with tie mishaps, dietary debates, and diner drama.
I loved the writing style. It’s alive with personality. McGrail’s voice crackles with humor, clever turns of phrase, and old-school charm. The dialogue sings—snappy, smart, and so natural you forget you’re reading. His characters? They’re ridiculous in the best way. Lovable screw-ups with big hearts and bigger mouths. And while the plot hums at a leisurely pace, I never found myself bored. Every scene feels like a short sitcom episode—tight, colorful, and just a little chaotic. The author doesn’t chase big drama. He trusts in the small stuff: banter, nostalgia, clashing egos, and the slow burn of friendships tested and reaffirmed. It’s low-stakes storytelling with high emotional payoff.
The story is long, and sometimes the jokes stretch a beat too far or the scenes linger past their welcome. But oddly, I didn’t mind much. The indulgence feels earned. McGrail clearly adores his characters—especially Milk and Poodle—and that affection is infectious. Beneath all the antics is a surprisingly tender meditation on second chances and reinvention. These aren’t just goofballs; they’re men pushed out of their old lives and forced to find new ways to matter. Jericho, too, shines as the competent, quietly frustrated linchpin who holds it all together. If you’ve ever juggled family and ambition, you’ll see yourself in her.
The Sycamore Centennial Parade is a warm and entertaining love letter to community, misfits, and starting over. It’s a small-town tale with a big, goofy heart. I’d recommend it to fans of Richard Russo or Fannie Flagg, or anyone who loves a character-driven story with quick wit and genuine soul.
Pages: 245 | ASIN : B0F2822P8C
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