The Dickinson press., 1917-05-26
BABY PARADE Big
SUCCESS; PAGEANT
IS RIOT OF COLOR

Dickinson's first baby parade, held
last Saturday afternoon as a grand
finale to the program of Baby Week,
was successful even beyond expecta-
lions of it's sponsors, and can truly be
said to have been the most picturesque
pageant ever held in this city. A
procession more than two blocks long
wendell its way through the principal
streets of the city, a moving riot of
color, tiny tots dressed in bizarre cos
tunes marching along in a manner
that would have shaded efforts of
grown-ups, and exciting vastly more
comment and interest. Streets along
the line of march were thronged with
enthusiastic onlookers, who applauded
vigorously as the children and their
chaperons passed by.
Winding along to the muffled beat
of the drum, the pageant started
shortly after 2 o'clock from the
armory. Down Second Avenue to
Willard marched the miniature citi-
Zens, then wheeled east, ~traversing
Willard to Sims, then north to First
Street NJ, west to Second Avenue, and
north to the armory, where the parade
was disbanded.
Little Helen Clarke impersonated
the Goddess of Liberty, riding at the
head of the procession in a lavishly
decorated auto, and the role was
splendidly taken. The tiny goddess is
a daughter of DR.. and Mrs. G. A.
Clarke of this city.
Red Cross girls and the little
mothers drew plaudits of the crowd
as they paraded slowly through the
streets. Grave faces of the tots as
they marched along attested that they
realized the responsibility of their po-
s%itions, giving calm assurance that
they were ready to edo their bit"
girls were CARRIED in nurse costumes,
with the emblem of the order on their
sleeves. The little mothers were clad
as real grown-ups, carrying trains of
their gowns as to the manor born.
A platoon of autos, conveying the
rising generation, in care of their
elders, moved slowly along in the
fore part of the procession. Each
ear contained a number of future
greats" who cooed and crowed as
they moved along, wondering what it
was all about.
Juvenile Company K marched along
in serried ranks, giving evidence that
the lads, as we'll as their elders, are
prepared to do their part. Boy
Scouts made a splendid appearance
and showed results of careful train
ing. The dozen or more Indians in
line, decked out as real Redskins,
added a blaze of color to the parade,
with their decorated suits and head
dresses of bright-colored feathers.
Six little girls bore Old Glory, back
of them came Company K, Jr., and
then the Red Cross surgeons, march
ing grimly along as though already in
their minds eye prepared to minister
to their patients. Then came tots
with their tricycles and express wag-
ons, the little mothers and George and
Martha Washington, the latter two
parts being finely taken by Herman
Crawford and Marian Blanchard.
Little John Starke gave a splendid i'm
p~ersonation of Uncle Sam.
Mothers of the city, in charge of
the go-cart section of the parade,
were given an ovation when they
hove into sight. Perambulators in
which Young America rode in regal
ease were decorated beautifully with
flags, bunting and flowers, and pre-
sented an inspiring sight. Nearly a
score of mothers were in line, march
ing two abreast.
Committees which put forth mighty
efforts to make Dickinson's first Baby
Week a success are we'll pleased with
results, and declare that the move
ment for infant welfare was given an
impetus here which will bring about
great good. Plans for a bigger
and better observance for next
year will be considered, and the event
is regarded as a fixed annual in years
to come.
Chairmen of committees in charge
were:
Publicity-Mrs. M. L. Ayers.
House-to-house canvass-Mrs. J. w.
Bowen.
General-Mrs. H. W. Reed.
Parade-Mrs. J. w. Reed.
Window decoration-Mrs. A. P.
Nachtwey.
Conference.-The Eldora Poland.
Arrangements-Dr. Alice Hunter.
Flies-Mrs. William Burnett.
Exhibit Mrs. Andrew Erdahl.
Hospitality-Mrs. E. A. Lillibridge.
46,5OO LICENSES ISSUED.