The Annual Sunshine Orange Subaru Crosstrek Parade Is Exactly Why The World Needs More Colorful Cars
All the popular car colors seem to be 50 shades of gray these days. There are some holdouts, though, such as Subaru's unique Sunshine Orange that it offers on the Crosstrek. We're fans of the color orange at Jalopnik (you've seen our logo, right?) and it seems we're not the only ones. People lined Main Street in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, to cheer on a parade consisting exclusively of Sunshine Orange Subaru Crosstreks, reports Rural Intelligence.
In 2025, local radio host Michelle Kaplan pulled together 14 of the uniquely colored Crosstreks on a whim, then took a drive around town together. There was no message or deeper meaning, just fun with fun-colored cars. Word got out across social media, and this year Kaplan received over 100 RSVPs for parade participants. A Nor'easter (New England slang for a powerful storm with winds from the northeast) dissuaded some participants from showing up, but even the gloomy weather on the horizon couldn't keep the brightly-colored compact SUVs all away. The official count was "roughly" 81 cars, according to Kaplan.
Never underestimate the power of orange. Despite forecasts calling for a 100% chance of rain, the precipitation actually stopped as the Big Y grocery store parking lot began filling up with orange Crosstreks. Foreboding clouds threatened, but it seems a critical mass of Sunshine Orange can control the weather, keeping Great Barrington dry for the duration of the parade, to the delight of onlookers. Participants came from as far away as Maine, Wisconsin, and Tennessee, just to celebrate their brightly colored Crosstreks. Some even dressed in bright orange outfits to match their cars.
An ocean of orange
I asked Kaplan what inspired her to start this parade.
Yes, car colors are sooo boring these days. That was definitely part of the inspiration. It's just a happy car. You can't be in a bad mood in it.
I bought the car in 2018 and realized that naturally, whenever I passed another one on the road, we'd always beep and wave. I had no idea! Everyone seems to be so enthusiastic and fun. I feel like no other car could do this. Ha.
I'm not particularly a car person at all, which is the funny thing. It was a no-brainer that I would get the Sunshine Orange. It resonates with my personality.
She may not consider herself a car person, but she gets it. In my experience, fun cars of any variety inspire their owners to greet each other. I regularly swapped waves with Subaru WRX owners while driving one of my own. It's not limited to Subarus, either. We've all heard of the Jeep wave and the ducking phenomenon. NA Miata drivers wave to each other by popping up their barn door headlights, something other generations can't do. But only fun cars seem to participate. I pass other white Ford Transits all the time while driving my camper van, and not once has the other driver waved at me.
@autistic_techie One of the most #autistic things I'll ever do: Join a car meetup with everyone with the same orange car as me! The Second Annual Meet & Parade for Sunshine Orange #Subaru #Crosstrek had over 100 cars meet up in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. We took over the Big Y parking lot and paraded down the street, honking our horns basically every step of the way!
While boring car colors continue to be the most popular, it may also be a chicken-and-egg problem. There are a few exceptions, but most manufacturers don't offer much color selection these days, particularly bright choices. I grew up riding in my mom's bright yellow VW Super Beetle. I've had a World Rally Blue BRZ and multiple red Miatas. I think the roads are prettier and people are happier with more color out there, particularly in the world we live in today.
The other attendees seemed to agree. Even before the parade ended, people were telling Kaplan they couldn't wait to do it again next year. She was going to call it quits after this one, but the event that started as a silly little group drive has taken on a life of its own. And rightfully so, because we need more bright cars in large groups bringing light, joy, and happiness into the world.