Did you know that Peoria, Illinois has the longest running
Santa Claus parade in the nation?
That’s right, this one will be the 133rd edition! That very first parade in 1887 consisted of
boats and derricks sailing down the river as part of the new bridge
construction. What a spectacular sight
that must have been just before the turn of the 20th century.
By December 1889, Frederick Block of the Schipper and Block
Department Store sponsored a parade that followed the same route and featured,
you guessed it…Santa Claus! This created
the concept of a department-store parade that was later emulated in larger
cities. Various attractions in the
parade through the years included fireworks, circus wagons, a calliope, live
reindeer and numerous parade floats.
Here in Morton we are looking forward to the 2019 Santa
Claus parade hoping that it will be bigger and better than ever. Dave and Kendra Bailey would like to wish you
a very Merry Christmas and a happy holiday season from our family at Dave
Bailey Plumbing of Morton Illinois to you and yours.
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