by Laurel | June 7th, 2010
"Appreciation of Holyoke" parade passes the reviewing stand in front of city hall.
Municipal Employees From Mayor Down Show Holyokers What City Government Means as Start of “In Appreciation” Campaign
June 7, 1938
The opening event of the “in appreciation of Holyoke week,” took place tonight in the form of a parade of members of the city government, employees of municipal departments and equipment of the various city departments. Aided by 10 bands ad bugle and drum corps, the well-organized parade proved to be a surprise in its size, the excellent marching appearance of all department employees and the amount and up-to-the-minute appearance of its equipment.
The campaign is intended to enlist “50,000 salesmen,” or to educate Holyokers to the many advantages of their community, its thoroughly organized and properly equipped municipal government, its natural resources, recreational facilities and all other features.
The idea was an outgrowth of meetings of the industrial development committee, fostered by the Chamber of Commerce. This committee is soon to start a widespread campaign of advertising of the city as an ideal location for industries. It was felt that the committee must first thoroughly acquaint its own citizens with the splendid things the city has to offer before going afield. Hence the beginning of “in appreciation of Holyoke week..”
In addition to the parade tonight there was a radio address by Mayor William P. Yoerg and a band concert after the parade given on the city hall lawn by the high school band under the direction of Fred Grady.
City Marshal Edmund J. Slate was marshal of the parade. His aids were: James J. Dowd, chairman of the industrial development committee; Secretary Conrad J. Hemond of the Chamber of Commerce; Arthur Marell chairman of the special events committee, and Ernest W. Bishop; and Edward M. Osgood, co-chairman of the industrial exhibits committee.
The parade was organized in the following order: Police cruising cars; marshall and aids; Farnum’s band; Captain of Detectives Peter J. Manning and detective sergeants; bugle and drum corps of the George C. Clark post, V.F.W.; city government marchers led by Mayor William P. Yoerg; bugle and drum corps, Holyoke post, American Legion; water department; gas and electric department; parks and recreation; Polish Falcon drum corps; school department; Mt. Tom CCC drum corps; board of public works; St. Jean de Baptiste drum and bugle corps; firemen and yard employees; Holyoke Kiltie band; alley department trucks bearing large placards; South Holyoke Lyceum drum corps; special construction equipment; Paper City post, American Legion; drum and bugle corps; fire department with 15 pieces of equipment; Brightside Boys band.
Immediately following was an uninvited automobile advertising a smoke and water sale which many believed was part of the parade.
From The Springfield Republican.
