A horrible holiday tradition
What's It Wednesdays
Not a comment...a holiday tradition
ACHC #1995.072.1
ACHC #2017.063.2
July 4th is Saturday! In this unprecedented time, Andover will miss having fireworks and also the traditional Horribles Parade.
To anyone not previously exposed to this New England tradition, a Horribles Parade is not like any other 4th of July parade. Growing up just outside DC, my memories of 4th of July parades are of sitting on a street curb with my family watching area high school marching bands, servicemen and women, and the occasional patriotic float pass by.
New England Horribles parades are a whole different matter.
ACHC #1987.598.131ac
The earliest Ancients and Horribles Parade can be traced to Lowell, MA on July 4th 1851. It was so named as a spoof on the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts, the oldest chartered military organization in North America. Modeled after the British organization, The Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company was chartered in 1638, by the Great and General Court of Massachusetts, and signed by Governor John Winthrop. It was a volunteer militia organization. The purpose - to train officers of local militia throughout the Massachusetts Bay colony.
The Ancients and Horribles Parades of the late 1800’s, were designed to satirize political themes, specific politicians and local public figures. Most participants dressed in costumes and masks, both comic and grotesque. Carriages and wagons were decorated with junk. And through today’s lens, some of the early floats were inappropriate and offensive. Here are some more patriotic images from early Horribles Parades in Andover.
ACHC #1987.598.151.35
ACHC #1987.598.1513.3
In Andover, the tradition waned after WWI. It was resurrected in 1970, by the Andover Service Club and took a different, more community and family-friendly format. Revived again 1981-82, the Committee for Patriotic Celebrations introduced pins for parade participants.
ACHC #2008.003.18
ACHC #1994.123.19
Since 1981, Horribles parades have been family friendly and more casual “strolls” of costumed children with decorated bikes, parents pushing strollers, and everyone decked out in red, white, and blue!
And a Horribles pin.
ACHC #1992.102.1
However you spend it, Happy 4th of July!
Were you or your family in a Horribles parade? Do you remember the parades, or have a story to share?