Winnebago State Parade 1954

What a time 1954 must have been. Privations and dark days of war were fading, and a new world sounded the faintest exciting echoes on the coming winds. Life was better than it had been for a long time

(Sounds of outdoor crowd applause, occasional tannoy and marching band)

Dan: Well good morning everybody and welcome to the Winnebago State Parade brought to you by KZBN, the station for the State. I’m Dan Krankschaft …

Millicent: … and I’m Millicent Dupree, and we’re here to bring you over the radio all the sights and sounds of this annual parade in the wonderful State of Winnebago in the beautiful town of Regina. Dan I wanna say this super extraordinary outstanding annual eruption of wonder there’s something for everyone …..

D: …. You better believe it ladies and gentlemen boys and girls. There’s acrobats and jugglers, marching bands, rodeo, circus tents and military style marquees, livestock everywhere Millicent bear me out here all the way to the horizon in every which-way you please.

M: Dan I gather alongside all the traditional things the 1950s are here in the shape of a real rocket I guess with the 2nd Airborne, a real rocket. In this very parade.

D: Millicent it’s rockets today and with our wonderful scientists there are bound to be other things in each upcoming parade. Worlds are changing folks and horse-drawn carriages aren’t going to pay the bills much longer. 

M: Kinda worrying but exciting and hopeful all at the same time Dan but Ladies and Gentlemen back to today and this magnificent parade starting shortly. We’re here at the Regina raceway and it’s a bright morning. There are four five towns around the State host the parade in turn and this year it’s majestic Regina. Dan the raceway sure has the space, the sun is out, I think God is smiling on us.

D: Millie you’re right there. Was it ’52 in Glassboro? Beautiful people but so much rain and the march path was almost a quagmire. All those poor folk who came but especially those who participated. So much better today - sunny but I don’t think it’ll go too steamy.

M: There are crops and flowers, Dan, in every corner. Sure it’s early season but folks, there is produce everywhere and an abundance of color. And the stands? Dan, oh the stands and the people.

D: Ladies and Gentlemen Boys and Girls. Imagine, if you will, your local high school ballgame and the cheering families in the bleachers. Well now, take that stand, picture it folks, now triple no quadruple its height and its number of rows. And this one doesn’t stretch thirty yards either side of halfway folks before you get to Jimmy’s Popcorn shack or whatever. Folks each stand here, I say again, each stand, would go from one touchdown to the other, and there are …

M: … I can see ten, maybe more. Gosh. All full ladies and gentlemen boys and girls and all ready for the parade itself. And by the by Dan, my high school had a Rosa’s Popcorn not Jimmy’s and gosh we had milkshakes and ices to die for the other side.

D: Were you ever a cheerleader, Millicent, shaking those pom-poms? They got ‘em here later.

M: (laughs) Oh Dan, Sure, oh the fun I had. I shouldn’t say this on the wireless folks, but Dan, one-time there was this boy in the bleachers I had my eyes on him for months. Let’s just say I shook my pom-poms real good looking straight at that young man. 

D: (Chuckles) Did he get the message?

M: (Angry laugh) No he did not! Next I heard he was dating a girl from Simville the next town. 

D: (Chuckle) Did she have pom-poms?

M: Not from what I hear, well not so as you could shake! Well, his loss. Ah all those years ago.

D: Not so long Millie. I can picture the scene, folks I’m sure there’s many of you can as well. And there’s probably many a guy out there remembering ….

M: … Dan, umm, back to the parade! I can see the bands and soldiers and youth organisations from all over the State, Winnebago’s finest, all starting to assemble in a kind of marshalling area. Faraways to our right.

D: (clears throat) Millicent that’s right we’ll soon be under way. Ladies and Gentlemen the lower sections of the crowd maybe don’t see the area we’re talking about, and the first they see and hear is the cheers of the people at the far end and the faint sound of drums and brass. There are mounted bands all on horseback, pipe bands, folks you name it.

M: Dan wait, I can hear, I think … yes! It’s starting. About time, I was gettin’ a little itchy there. …. And the first section will be our brave fighters. Those platoons and regiments that secured our freedom less than a decade ago.

D: Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls. Those dark days are behind us, we surely hope and pray for ever, and a new world is dawning. As they approach I can guarantee that the stands will rise as one to honour our brave fighters. But then following behind will come our tomorrow, folks, the new today. The boy scouts, the girl scouts, 4H, the rangers and pathfinders, the young farmers. Folks we must nurture these young minds and hearts to grow strong and true, for they will become tomorrow’s leaders.

M: Those are fine words, Dan.

D: Well Millie, you know I’m getting a bit grey here and there. I got a good few years yet but these things mean more as one gets … …

M: Dan Krankschaft stop that right there! Folks, I wanna let you know I am sat next to a mighty fine-looking man. Sure he’s mature but he stands straight, has a good heart and walks true. OK there’s a little silver, but hey ladies we know we’re at that mirror looking for the grey far too soon, don’t get me started!

D: Millie thanks. Folks, this lady is an evergreen, and I sure hope the man in her life realises …

M: … Dan! I can see the first band! Come on!

D: Yeah, oh wait, uhh. I think they’re just positioning presently, Millie. Any minute.

M: Well it’s a little slow is all I’m saying, I just want it to kick off!

D: Folks err, while we all wait, lemme describe where we are, Millicent and me. Regina has a proper permanent stand, even Tornado-proof I gather, and there’s a slot in the middle halfways up for dignitaries …

M: … They get the nice chairs and hot dogs. Dan I was lookin’ for a hot dog the line was way back. Those dignitaries are special folk, have things brought to them all nice.

D: Well Millie it’s sponsors and so-forth, pay for the whole event, and indirectly for you and me.

M: I know I know. Anyway folks we’re a long ways from them, and definitely not on comfortable seats, but we are sheltered and on some kinda gantry and there are spectators real close, wait a second here ‘Hey folks you enjoyin’ the parade?’ …

D: (Laughs) Folks I don’t think you can hear the spectators clearly but, uhh, let’s just say, that yes they’re enjoying the parade but getting a tad impatient . Well ladies and gentlemen boys and girls I wanna put you down there at the marshalling area let you kinda walk in their shoes. There are fifteen twenty different groups down there. Each of them is talking, tuning instruments, tightening drums, laughing and joking, trading good-humoured banter with other groups; you can imagine. And someone, I confess I don’t know who, has to get them in line, ready and started.

M: I got money on that being a man. Dan you seen family households at breakfast, checkin’ homework, lunch boxes, sports kit ready and the rest, there are thousands of women in this state do that five times a week forty fifty weeks a year, they would have those groups in line and on their way soon as! 

D: (Clears throat) Uhh, err, oh! Oh yeah! Folks ladies gentlemen kids they’re coming! The march, the parade itself has started! And Millie look how well turned out they are, the deep lustre of the horses, their chestnuts or bays, even a few greys and piebalds, all resplendent. Burnished bright shining instruments and uniforms of every color. 

M: Dan look at the crowds, craning their necks to look for a first sight, perhaps of someone they know. Folk with paper sun-visors all colours saying Go Winnebago ’54 real large and  oh look Dan, families laughing together pointing out things to each other and smiling together. Lots of them have little flags waving like billy-o. Oh! Dan look there!

D: (Shocked laugh) Folks, the first marching troop, the Winnebago 2nd Airborne good men one and all. But that hasn’t stopped one of them breaking away and running to the spectators and …

M (Laughs) Thassa lucky girl! Way to go!

D: Folks I’m sure there’ll be consequences and (chuckles) and an invitation to see his commanding officer, but the young man has kissed his we presume wife well clearly sweetheart anyway, shall we say enthusiastically, and has now run back to resume marching. Well I’ve never seen the like …

M: Dan she’s back in the crowd with her friends all laughing and smiling, and she’s got a smirk a mile wide.

D: Folks, these men fought for their homeland, our country. As I say, his romantic uhh exuberance may likely have repercussions but in some ways perhaps it shows the importance of what we hold most dear and what our boys fought for - our loved ones.

M: Mine wouldn’t do something like that. He’s OK but we, we’re so set in our ways I just …

D: Well, restraint and discipline are admirable qualities, a time and a place, Millicent, as our gallant …

M: … Dontcha just wanna break out sometimes Dan. Throw off the shackles of convention. I’m not sayin’ run naked down Main Street but just, you know, let it go somehow.

D: Well, uhh …

M: Sorry folks, I’m rattling Dan some, and I can only imagine what our producers are thinking. So (clears throat) back to the parade and folks I’m sure you can hear it the drums the bands the cheering crowds all applauding Dan it’s suddenly pretty busy hereabouts! Kinda hard to hear with all the whoopin’ we got some especially enthusiastic clearly relatives immediately behind us …

D:  … Lotta whoopin’ and marchin’ folks. It’s a mighty fine sight. And Ladies and Gentlemen next up in the Parade are the Rangers Swing Band, led by our local hero Ben Carpenter. Folks y’all know the story of Glenn Miller having his band play St Louis Blues for a similar march-past, and those troops kicking into higher gear, well Ben and his boys are playing his very own composition Regina March as they head-on past. A treat to witness and a sweet sweet sound, I’m sure Millie you’ll agree. 

M: I wonder what’ll happen for that amorous trooper from the Airborne. Not his Commander, I mean when he and his girl meet up later. 

D: (Clears throat again) A serious moment shortly now Folks …

M:  … Sometimes I just feel like, I don’t know, I wanna burst into song. You know it’s a glorious day here ladies and gentlemen boys and girls and all these bright hopes and brave people but they all stay so, so …

D:  … as we come to the moment in the parade when we reflect. It’s the guard of honour and salute. Our own decorated marines who saw battle at Iwo Jima will take the salute. Millie it’s a solemn moment.

M: I mean, that trooper ducking out of the march to kiss his girl. Dan that so lifted my spirits, the, I don’t know, the, yes I do - spontaneity. The joy of it! …

D: … Now a moment to reflect and pay tribute. On what matters - one’s country, loved ones, freedom, bravery, dignity, integrity and of course, memories of those no longer with us. The march will presently call a halt. And troopers from several of the marching bands, veterans but also our young, will approach the dais in turn and solemnly salute and briefly lower their flags. Distinguished Service Medal holders Sergeant Rufus Secombe and Corporal Levon Brown, resplendent in dress uniform, are standing resolutely at attention ready to salute each flag.

D: (continuing) Ladies and Gentlemen, silence falls. In our crowd of several thousand spectators, save for the occasional baby cry and breath of wind, there is not a sound to be heard. At home we imagine you may be similarly pausing, and so we will briefly let the silence speak for itself.

…   …   …

D: A wonderful quiet moment there, ladies and gentlemen, perhaps for you at home also. The flag-bearers now all returning to their groups and the parade will resume momentarily.

M: (singing in Jazz ski-doo style) There’s a bright golden haze on the meadow; Oh there’s a bright golden haze on that meadow yeah. The corn is as high, yeah, as an elephant’s eye, and it looks like it’s climbin’ right up to the sky! Oh God Dan Oh Gosh I so so needed that. I know I know. 

(Calls from nearby spectators of ‘you done good, Millie’! Attagirl!)

M: (Reaches round to talk with nearby spectators) Quick folks, before the band starts! In skippy jazz style OK? Live it up here! ‘Oh what a … beautiful … mornin’; Oh what a beautiful day … … do do di doobie do do … I got a … … wonderful feeling yeah, everything’s goin’ my way … doobie doobie day day’

(Laughter and cheers, growing, as more people further away join in)

D: (Clears throat) Ladies and Gentlemen, uhh, things are getting a little, uhh, exciting here. I would love to describe to you the pageant and majesty of the parade, but actually the marching bands have not restarted yet since the salute. And, oh gosh I can’t quite believe this ladies and gentlemen boys and girls. The band leader for the Winnebago 2nd Airborne who are right here by the main stand, well, he’s…. Folks you gotta see this. The crowds are swaying no swinging left and right as one. And the band leader he’s conducting the crowd in their impromptu performance which I’m sure our microphones are picking up. Started, I might add, by the lady at my side, well she was by my side, she’s now in the middle of the singing spectators making her way down the steps and, oh my goodness other spectators as well. There’s a lotta cheering and clapping, and now the band-leader is conducting his own musicians in this up-tempo syncopated version of ‘Oh what a beautiful morning’, and folks you won’t believe this, all the marchers have resumed, the entire parade under way once more, all to this foot-tapper. It’s like Glenn Miller all over again. And, hah! I can see Millicent clambering back up looks like she might be back with us in a moment or … …

M: (Breathless and exhilarated) … … Oh Lord! Oh my jumpin’ jets! Oh Dan I probably gave you heart failure there I’m sorry ‘hon. But oh! That was so-much-fun! And all these good people here (gestures around). I’m out of a job after this for sure Dan but ‘hon that was so so worth every moment. 

D: Well you sure got me reaching for my pills Millie I’ll tell you. I wondered what in tarnation was happening but hats off, everyone here was with you, I mean the whole place was jumping Millicent Dupree what did you DO to them? Even if they stayed in their seats they were smiling. 

M: Dan you are the bestest nicest safest pair of hands most professional colleague a girl and a radio station could ever wish for but man you just gotta break free sometimes Dan. Try loosening that tie a tad!  I promise you will feel better, lighter, happier. Oh Gosh I so enjoyed that!

D: Millie it’s not my way, I’m who I am and I get my pleasures, I guess, other ways. And that’s just how it’ll stay. I’m not quite the straight guy you may take me for lemme tell you. And it doesn’t mean I can’t see how you, well, galvanised … metamorphosised … whupped up … this entire parade.

M: Dan I wasn’t meaning any of that for a moment. I just wanted to break line just like that trooper who kissed his gal. And ladies and gentlemen at home I sure hope you ‘preciate I was not disrespecting a single soul out there marching, playing, saluting, and all the other wonderful things these fine people are doing. But you could see it Dan, they all broke free, marched slicker, played sassier and sweeter, oh it was all so joyous it was all so SLOW before so OLD. Respect and honour is just as much about fun and joy. These guys get home and their kids say what d’you today well kids I marched slow-time at the parade to some off-pitch brass band No! They wanna be proud and show … ahh I don’t know. It was all so tame, so civilised … hah I’m exhausted Dan all that singin’ and dancin’

D: (clears throat again) Millie take a breath while I update the folks at home. Ladies and gentlemen we’re actually coming to the end of the KZBN live coverage as the marchers and bands recede into the distance and the de-marshalling, I guess you’d say, area. as the dust settles on the march-past the other events today will be starting up. A reminder folks, there’s rodeo, cheerleader competitions, circus acts, all here this very day. A big thanks to our wonderful hosts here at the Regina Raceway. Hah, it’s been an eye-opener that’s for sure. Don’t get too stuck in your ways folks the fifties are here and the world is changing, though I hope always with respect as my good friend says. And speaking of her, folks, if you’re wondering about Millicent well she’s here and I suppose you could say she looks like she’s in a kind of after-shock, coming down after some high. Well I sure hope she does, as she’s driving us back into town after we’re done! Ladies and Gentlemen I think we can all agree it’s been a memorable day. From an after-shocked Millie and me Dan Krankschaft, good bye.