Parades Then and Now
Once upon a time, parades in Hudson went up Warren Street from Front Street and ended at the Public Square. This picture from the 1950s suggests that units lined up on the first block of Union Street and began the march by turning right on Front Street, marching a block, and then turning right again onto Warren Street.
These days, parades start at the Public Square (a.k.a. Seventh Street Park) and head down Warren Street toward the river. One of the parades that will be going down Warren Street this summer--on Saturday, June 15--is the Hudson Pride Parade.
This year the Pride Parade promises to be bigger and better than ever. Parade organizers report that there are already fifty confirmed entries in the parade, including three marching bands, drummers, pipers, dancers, colorful floats, roller derby stars, vintage cars (one of them carrying The Gossips of Rivertown), unicycles, and the giant rainbow flag. The Wizard of Oz is returning, of course. After all, the theme of this year's parade is "Over the Rainbow . . . there's no place like Hudson!" Leading the parade will be a contingent of tricycles, big wheels, and wagons decorated by kids for kids.
There is still time to be a part of the festivities. The next parade planning meeting is scheduled for Sunday, April 21, at 2 p.m. and will take place at the Hudson Pride Foundation headquarters, 603 Warren Street, Second Floor.
Surely the parades march down towards the river these-a-days because it's easier than the other way around. Who would be up to it?
ReplyDeleteIn the 1950s and 60s, I marched in numerous parades. Memorial Day was THE parade of the year. Flag Day paled in comparison to it. We lined up on Front St and surrounding area, then marched up Warren, to Park Place, to Green Street. Up Green to the intersection of Rt 66. Turned right then left onto Paul Ave to the Cedar Park Cemetery. There was a ceremony and 21 gun salute..As a Brownie, Girl Scout and finally a band member of HHS Band.
ReplyDeleteI remember at least two parades lead by an honor guard of people on horseback. I have a photo of my sister, mother and I riding in one, and my father, on horseback, carrying the flag.
ReplyDeleteThis must have been late 40's--we were very young.
It started (lined up) on Fairview Ave at Graham or Storm Ave (they may have different names now) and went intown and down Green and Warren. It was the big, maybe only, parade, so it was probably Memorial Day.