The Holiday Balloon Parade, Williamsport 1949

 
Thousands lined the streets to watch the Holiday Balloon Parade in Williamsport,  on November 26th 1949. 

It was only 28 degrees that day, with chilling winds, but the Williamsport Sun Gazette reported that "the parade itself came off without serious mishap, although a few balloon noses were drooping and and the big letter X in Xmas gave it's handlers considerable trouble."

Several of the musical groups dropped out of the line of march long enough to warm up along the way. Many watched the parade from inside open stores, and others crowded in doorways, attempting to escape the wind.   The Sun Gazette reported that several collapsed from the cold, but were quickly revived when taken into warm buildings.

Santa led the parade, on a sleigh filled with Christmas packages. "His counterpart in rubber followed along midway in the procession, with the famed North Pole Mailbox proceeding him." Ten girls from Lycoming college gathered letters from youngsters along the parade route, depositing them into the mailbox.

The balloons ranged in size from an assortment of balloon heads and "three  hot dogs which accompanied Fido the dog", to the huge organ which brought up the read of the parade.  

The parade was organized to "promote Williamsport", and nearly every store advertisement that fall included mention of the parade.