Christmas Parade 1954

Remembering the Christmas Parades of years past.  One of Marion's largest crowds ever attended the parade of 1954. 

The old Crittenden Press stated that the crowd was estimated at over 5,000 that swarmed into Marion to watch the hour-long gala Christmas Parade.

Before the parade, hundreds of cars were parked for blocks along side streets, requiring extra efforts by the Police Department and Boy Scouts to handle the traffic. 

There were 18 festive floats entered in the parade, plus many other entries.  

 Many merchants worked until the wee hours of the morning before the parade completing their floats or displays. The following gives a complete description in order of their appearance of every entry in the parade.

First in the parade was the carrying of the colors, then the Marion Fire Dept. truck, followed by the City Police car. A marching group, the Rosiclare Band, then appeared, followed by the first float, the Litchfield Kindergarten, which colorfully portrayed a kindergarten in which youngsters were busily at work.

The Crittenden County Public Library display then appeared with a Chrysler car following sponsored by Fritts' Motors. The 2^nd float brightly decorated and containing a telephone operator at a switchboard, was sponsored by the Southern Bell Telephone Company.

An ancient 1850 snow sleigh appeared next, with its two occupants appropriately dressed in the attire of that era. It was sponsored by Crittenden Grocery.

The Rose Cleaners float appeared next, on which a group of dancing youngsters appeared, dressed appropriately in suit bags to reflect the dry cleaning theme.

The Cumberland Presbyterian float next expressed a true religious scene depicting a kneeling choir at the base of a cross on which were inscribed the words "May Peace Be Unto You."

The Surrey with the Fringe on Top was the next colorful entry to appear, sponsored by the Merrymaker's Club. The REA float following portrayed a youngster climbing a little telephone pole symbolic of REA service.

An automobile, entered by Cruce-Jones Motor Co. appeared next, followed by the Marion Woman' Club float, three white robbed attractive girls standing besides the stars and stripes presenting "Peace, Liberty, and the Marion Woman's Club."

The Morganfield Band appeared next, followed by the Girl Scout marching group.

Next colorful float was an entry by Franklin-Biggs, which was the third-prize winner. This portrayed a cozy setting of a family group sitting before a cheery fireplace anticipating the arrival of St. Nick.

The Night Before Christmas was the theme of the next float, sponsored by the People's Bank with children nestled snug in their bed and mama sitting in a rocking chair. This was the second-prize winning float.

Following was the Bette Taylor kindergarten display portraying children at work and play.

A miniature memorial cemetery with rows of crosses, and flanked by an honor guard, was the interesting float presented by the American Legion Memorial.

Miss Crittenden County with her maids in waiting was the attractive display sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary.

A huge boot presumably overflowing with toys came next with Santa's helpers throwing candy to the children.

Moore and Pickens sponsored the next entry which was an old horse drawn buggy with two occupants dressed in old-fashioned attire.

Crittenden Motors displayed an old Model "T" Ford, followed by the new Ford. The Rotary wheel was next to appear on a colorful float on which four young ball players appeared.

The Hunt Dept. Store float came next, with big overflowing bag of toys reflecting the Christmas spirit. Favors were thrown out to the crowd.

"Peace On Earth" inscribed on a cross expressed the theme of the first-prize winning Methodist Church float. A realistic stuffed lion stood behind a boy with his lamb, reflecting the verse from Isaiah 11:6. The lion and the young lamb shall lie down together, and a small child shall lead them"

William's Dept. Store sponsored a Santa's Sleigh float with Santa tossing candy to the crowd.

The Marion PTA entered a float mounting large gold painted oak leaves, symbolic of the P.T.A.

Famous '40 and 8' train appeared next, then a float by Chipps Implement Company containing toy tractors and other miniatures of actual produced sold by this company.

More color was added to the festive parade by the Marching and playing Marion High School Band.

Last float was the TB Association entry, whose theme "Buy Christmas Seals" was vividly portrayed in a colorful reproduction of the Christmas Seal picture.

Santa Claus appeared last, to wind up this long parade, with his sleigh and prancing reindeer bringing a fitting close to the procession.

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My thoughts: How fortunate I consider myself to have been able to attend this wonderful parade, to view the beautifully decorated display windows along main street, and to remember Marion in this wonderful hustle and bustle Christmas period of her past.

The picture above was taken on West Bellville Street.  The cars in the street were from some of the dealerships that Marion had during that time.