(Articles from the following newspapers combined to tell today’s story are: Grenada County Weekly, November 8, 15, 29 and December 6 and 13, 1951; Daily Sentinel Star, November 22, 29 and December 7 and 10, 1951. Historical reminder: Alaska was not a state in 1951.)
Santa With Real Live Reindeer to be in December 7th Parade
“There will be a larger crowd of people in Grenada the afternoon of Friday, December 7, than any time in the history of our city.” This prediction comes from the Grenada Chamber of Commerce, which will sponsor the Christmas Parade here that day. The event will feature Santa Claus and four live reindeer.
At 1:15 p.m. the reindeer, pulling Santa in a right red sleigh will bring the spirit of the season nearer to children and adults alike in downtown Grenada. People from miles around will be here to view the parade as Old Saint Nick pulls the reins of his reindeer as they prance down the streets popping their ankles in time with the sleigh bells. Each will be gaily decorated in a bright red harness bearing a shiny brass nameplate on which each name is inscribed. Donder and Blitzen and Dancer and Prancer will toss their antlers from side to side as they pull Santa’s sleigh.
These are real reindeer straight from the Bering Sea area of Alaska. They are owned by Grady Carothers, ranchman of Goldthwaite, Texas, who has the only herd of live reindeer in the nation. After three years of negotiating, Mr. Carothers obtained authority from our government to take the reindeer from Alaska to Texas.
The Arctic reindeer have an odd characteristic of popping their ankles when they walk with a crackle you can easily hear.
The yuletide season will take on a new meaning for children this year with the visit of Santa Claus and reindeer. Children, you had better make out your list because Santa wants to talk to you about that list on the afternoon of the parade.
Christmas Parade to Feature 18 Floats
The floats are being made now and how they look will remain a secret until parade time. The following floats have been entered: Junior Auxiliary, Iris Club, Senior Class of Grenada High School, Garden Club, Civic League, VFW Auxiliary, Kiwanis Club, Monte Cristo, Home Demonstration Council, PTA, Methodist Church, Grenada Industries, Brewer Motor Co., Liles Bros. Produce Co., Rotary Club, Lions Club, Revell Furniture Co., and Girl Scouts.
The three prizes to representatives of the firms or organizations who win the float contest will be: $75, $50 and $25. There will be three out of town mayors for judges.
15,000 In Attendance At Christmas Parade
A crowd, conservatively estimated at 15,000, thronged Grenada for the beautiful Christmas Parade, which began at 1:15 p.m. today and lasted for nearly forty-five minutes. People from Grenada and surrounding communities lined the entire route of the parade to watch the 18 lovely floats preceded by Santa and four live reindeer. Each float was a credit to the sponsors.
After much pondering, the judges, Mayor DeShone of Water Valley, Vice-mayor Wade Kellum of Charleston and former mayor John Leigh of Duck Hill awarded the 1st prize of $75 to VFW Auxiliary float, theme of which was “Give a pint of blood.” The following girls were dressed as angels or the spirit of departed soldiers on the float: Freida Juchheim, Lennie Sharp Ricks, Ruth Briscoe, Peggy Evans, Ann Stoker, Joan Reynolds, Joanne Ball and Barbara Vance.
Second prize went to the Methodist Church, the theme of which was “Christ in Christmas.” On the float were: Mrs. Bays, Mrs. Roberta Allen, David Dubard, Juel Batson and several children.
The third prizewinner was the Senior Class float, which depicted the Nativity scene. On this float were: Renee Yvonne Morrison, H.T. Smith, Nelson Douglas, Jr., Glennis Carroll and Ernest Moore.
Grenada and the Chamber of Commerce have every right to be proud of this the largest and best Christmas Parade in the history of the city.
