HELP HISTORY PARADE!
Once again the GGRWHC will honor our forebears by re-enacting suffragists parading on Grand Rapids streets a hundred years ago. Please join us on July 4th to march in the annual Hollyhock Lane Parade!
On Wednesday morning, July 4th, we will gather at 8:00 am in Ottawa Hills. Look for "suffragists," the gaudy yellow and purple GGRWHC banner, or Willy the Westie, a suffragist dog! Parading has always mixed just plain fun with serious business. At the same time we honor the political efforts of Grand Rapids women a century ago, we use their parade model to advertise the mission of the GGRWHC today. Visible ourselves, we make our forebears visible. So join in the fun with GGRWHC--and the politicians and the fire trucks and the kids on bikes!
You can use our "Votes for Women" signs, pennants, and sashes. If you can, dress in something that looks vintage--"looks" being the operative term. For women, maybe a high-collar white blouse, a white or black skirt, and a hat (nice, but not necessary); for men, as much white as you have. You can borrow a boater from us. Ideally, marchers wear white to contrast with the purple sashes. But wear what you like and join the parade. Push a stroller or be pushed in a wheelchair-plan for fun!
The Hollyhock Lane neighborhood parade began in 1934 and has featured major politicians and National Guard trucks as well as neighborhood kids and the Hollymock Band. (See links at the bottom.) Paraders throw candy and hand out brochures for a festive time-then gather in Hollyhock Lane for a brief program. This year, one of our marchers, Bill Hill (front and center below), will participate in the festivities by offering a brief history of the 78 years of Hollyhock parading. A great way to begin the holiday!
OVERVIEW: Hollyhock Lane Parade: Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Information is also posted on the GGRWHC website (www.ggrwhc.org). With questions, please e-mail to info@ggrwhc.org or call 616-234-3603. Rain? Right now weather reports look good. Our paper posters will not stand up to rain, however, so watch the sky-or call 443-4946 that morning.
8:00: Participants meet on the east side of Calvin on the parkway between Alexander and the alley, Hollyhock Lane, in Ottawa Hills. If you get lost that morning, call 443-4946.
8:30: Parade begins: north on Calvin to Franklin, to Pontiac, south on Iroquois to Alexander, north on Giddings to the alley behind 847 Giddings
9:00: Ceremonies follow immediately in "Hollyhock Lane," the alleyway between Giddings and Calvin. (For more information about this, please contact the Zimmermans at 243-3579.)
Support GGRWHC! We are largely dependent upon dues and contributions to continue finding and distributing local women's history. If you haven't paid dues this year, please use the link below.
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The 75th anniversary of the Hollyhock Lane July 4th Parade was in 2009:
http://www.mlive.com/cadenceadvance/index.ssf/2009/06/diamond_in_the_rough_hollyhock.html
This clip from 2007 gives the best overall look at the parade--politicians, firetrucks, kids on bikes and in wagons, candy, flags, and the Hollymock Band:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZhTl6aeTjQ
Uncle Sam & Miss Liberty in photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollyhockparade/
http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/grand_rapids/Hollyhock_parade_celebrates_years
The Hollymock Band appears at a minute-and-a-half in; at two-and-a-half, a couple of floats:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVPaHZHDXhE
