Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883

Archival Anecdotes: New Rockford on parade

With all the parades that have been held locally in the past months, it seems only appropriate to take a moment to feature a historic parade. Recent parades have honored high school seniors who found their graduating year disrupted by COVID-19. There was also the Silver Linings Day parade which expressed gratitude to long-term care staff and honored the elders who reside at the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd. Then most recently, the annual Fourth of July Parade was held to celebrate our American freedoms on Independence Day.

Each of these parades served as a public procession and a public spectacle all with the purpose of celebrating.

Parades seem to be an invention of the early 20th century, as advancing technology afforded both industrial and agricultural workers more leisure time. As a result, many communities - especially in rural areas - sought out opportunities for celebrations and jubilees.

The photos featured this week depict a particularly impressive parade celebration that was held in New Rockford in 1933. The purpose of the celebration? New Rockford's 50 year anniversary. Since its founding in 1883, New Rockford had undergone tremendous growth, laying the foundations for the town and community we value today.

A large crowd gathers downtown for a group photo which includes a full band, decorated floats and many spectators including three men on a balcony. It truly was a celebration. Businesses visible include Baird & Dresser Real Estate Land Office, Masonic Hall and the Bank of New Rockford.

In the second photo below, the parade proceeds south on Eighth Street as spectators look on with giddy excitement as one of the infamous Deadwood Stagecoaches makes its way through the procession. Businesses visible in the photo include a corner drug store and furniture store.