"60 years on 66" Christmas Parade this Saturday

Long before the development of Interstate 40 and the existence of the grocery shopping area on North Park Drive and before many of the houses north of Mahoney were built, there was just more of the scrub brush typical to what you would see outside of town today. However, this area was important to the establishment of the tradition of a Christmas Parade in Winslow.

In the days leading up the parade, hundreds of Native Americans would come in from the reservation, huddled on horse and wagon with their families. Across the whole area now covered with homes and parking lots, used to be a scene of scattered campfires and gatherings.

Ruby McHood, 93, an original Harvey Girl still living in Winslow, said she remembers the days when the Hopi and Navajo would come into town for the parade and it is a tradition that still continues today.

"When the Hopi hoop dancers first got here they were the highlight for quite a while," McHood said. "Also, Charlie Erickson and the famous Indian Band is something that was really popular."

McHood recalled that her late husband Hue, was involved in the organizing of the early parades as he was involved in just about everything going on in Winslow, she said.

One year, her family made a giant Christmas tree out of tires since her son Joe operated the local Texaco service station.

"Things are different today. Back then there were more walking units and horses; the floats were more elaborate," McHood said. "Today the parade is bigger, but more artificial."

Look out this year! Many parade participants have already signed up and more on continuing to do so. Keep an eye out for the El Zaribah and their red fez tassling about on their miniature cars zipping up and down the street. This year is the 60th anniversary of the Winslow Christmas Parade and the theme is 60 years on 66.

The tradition began in 1946 in Winslow after the end of WWII when the local Retail Trade Committee was looking for a way bring people together in the spirit of the season, and to stimulate the local economy. The committee offered local Native Americans a bag of flour, a bag of sugar, a bucket of lard ‹ a la fry bread ‹ and also a bale of hay, if they would come into town to participate in the parade.

Winslow created the pre-Thanksgiving Christmas hype before the department stores. Every year the Christmas Parade begins on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. The Shriners could not be scheduled for another date, and they are a crowd favorite.

Come for the pinions, fry bread or outdoor oven bread. Many other venders will be lining the streets, too. Organizers suggest coming to the parade after 10 a.m. to give the kids time to play and to give the family time to get something to eat.

For more information call the Winslow Chamber of Commerce at (928) 289-2434.