Ancient and Horribles Parade
Encyclopedia
Ancient and Horribles Parade, founded in 1927, is a nationally known Fourth of July parade on U.S. Route 44 (Putnam Pike) in the village of Chepachet, Rhode Island in the town of Glocester. Parades of horribles were a New England tradition dating back prior to the 1870s or earlier in various small towns across New England.
, the oldest military organization in the United States. Vermonters in several cities started parading in concert with other New England towns in 1870 or earlier in "Ancient and Horrible" or "Antique and Horribles" parades. The dress was meant to satirize politicians and other public figures. This had largely died out by 1900 in Vermont. Gloucester, Massachusetts
continues to have a "Horribles Parade" into the 21st century but without the satirical political dimension the costumes once held.
Glocester Rhode Island's "Ancient and Horribles Parade" was founded in 1927 when Calvin Coolidge
was U.S. President. Coolidge was a member of the original Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company in Boston. According to the 2008 chair of the parade, Connie Leathers, "...Rhode Islanders being Rhode Islanders made fun of them." The Parade features both traditional Fourth of July floats
and marchers, such as veterans and fire trucks, as well as often irreverent, satirical displays commenting on political and cultural issues.
History
The first Ancient and Horribles Parades in New England started before 1870 and were likely named as a parody of the more somber Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of MassachusettsAncient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts
The Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts is the oldest chartered military organization in North America and the third oldest chartered military organization in the world...
, the oldest military organization in the United States. Vermonters in several cities started parading in concert with other New England towns in 1870 or earlier in "Ancient and Horrible" or "Antique and Horribles" parades. The dress was meant to satirize politicians and other public figures. This had largely died out by 1900 in Vermont. Gloucester, Massachusetts
Gloucester, Massachusetts
Gloucester is a city on Cape Ann in Essex County, Massachusetts, in the United States. It is part of Massachusetts' North Shore. The population was 28,789 at the 2010 U.S. Census...
continues to have a "Horribles Parade" into the 21st century but without the satirical political dimension the costumes once held.
Glocester Rhode Island's "Ancient and Horribles Parade" was founded in 1927 when Calvin Coolidge
Calvin Coolidge
John Calvin Coolidge, Jr. was the 30th President of the United States . A Republican lawyer from Vermont, Coolidge worked his way up the ladder of Massachusetts state politics, eventually becoming governor of that state...
was U.S. President. Coolidge was a member of the original Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company in Boston. According to the 2008 chair of the parade, Connie Leathers, "...Rhode Islanders being Rhode Islanders made fun of them." The Parade features both traditional Fourth of July floats
Float (parade)
A float is a decorated platform, either built on a vehicle or towed behind one, which is a component of many festive parades, such as those of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, the Carnival of Viareggio, the Maltese Carnival, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Key West Fantasy Fest parade, the...
and marchers, such as veterans and fire trucks, as well as often irreverent, satirical displays commenting on political and cultural issues.
See also
- Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of MassachusettsAncient and Honorable Artillery Company of MassachusettsThe Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts is the oldest chartered military organization in North America and the third oldest chartered military organization in the world...
- Glocester, Rhode IslandGlocester, Rhode IslandGlocester is a town in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 9,746 as of the 2010 census. The villages of Chepachet and Harmony are in Glocester. Putnam Pike Glocester is a town in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 9,746 as of the 2010...
- Swamp YankeeSwamp YankeeSwamp Yankee is a colloquialism that has a variety of meanings. Generally, it refers to Yankees or WASPs from rural Rhode Island and nearby eastern Connecticut and southeastern Massachusetts...