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Ashland parties hearty for ABA Parade
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ASHLAND — As Mayor Dennis Kane walked in last Saturday’s ABA Mummers Parade, he looked at a reporter and shouted, “I love a parade! You can quote me on it!”
Kane received no disagreement from the large number of people who lined Walnut and Centre streets throughout the evening as Ashland’s signature event celebrated its 108th annual edition with plenty of music, floats and fun.
The parade continues a tradition that dates back to a time when thousands of former Ashland residents returned to the borough for reunions of family and friends during the Labor Day holiday weekend. When the “Ashland boys” returned by train, they disembarked and walked up through the borough to their former homes. After a time, the Ashland Boys Association formed and a formal parade was created to commemorate the annual return.
This year’s parade grand marshal was A. James “Jim” Gruber, a retired businessman honored for his dedication and service to the borough, along with recognizing his recent installation as Rotary District 7370 governor. Riding in the convertible with Gruber was his wife, Darles “Darcie” Gruber.
“This is great. I’m having a wonderful time,” said Jim Gruber. “I am very pleased. It’s an honor.”
“This is pretty neat,” said Darcie Gruber as she sat in the convertible. “I didn’t know there were be all these perks to it.”
As with past parades, people lined the streets. Some watched the parade from their porches, while others placed chairs near the curb or sat on sidewalks. For many people, the ABA parade is a time to walk around the town, roaming from block to block as the paraders passed by.
The parade began on time at 7 p.m. from Walnut Street and Hoffman Boulevard. Leading the parade was the VFW Post 7654 Color Guard, followed by the North Schuylkill Spartan High School Band. The first string band was the Commonwealth String Band, which has become a regular at ABA parades, as has the Hegeman String Band, Rajah Shrine String Band and the Avalon String Band.
Music was a big part of this year’s parade, which included The Shoreliners, Pine Grove Community Marching Band, Blue Mountain High School Marching Band and Irish Thunder. Also in the parade were Winnie the Pooh and Tigger, Harry Potter, Cookie Monster and Elmo, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, Smokey Bear, and Dora and Diego.
Kane received no disagreement from the large number of people who lined Walnut and Centre streets throughout the evening as Ashland’s signature event celebrated its 108th annual edition with plenty of music, floats and fun.
The parade continues a tradition that dates back to a time when thousands of former Ashland residents returned to the borough for reunions of family and friends during the Labor Day holiday weekend. When the “Ashland boys” returned by train, they disembarked and walked up through the borough to their former homes. After a time, the Ashland Boys Association formed and a formal parade was created to commemorate the annual return.
This year’s parade grand marshal was A. James “Jim” Gruber, a retired businessman honored for his dedication and service to the borough, along with recognizing his recent installation as Rotary District 7370 governor. Riding in the convertible with Gruber was his wife, Darles “Darcie” Gruber.
“This is great. I’m having a wonderful time,” said Jim Gruber. “I am very pleased. It’s an honor.”
“This is pretty neat,” said Darcie Gruber as she sat in the convertible. “I didn’t know there were be all these perks to it.”
As with past parades, people lined the streets. Some watched the parade from their porches, while others placed chairs near the curb or sat on sidewalks. For many people, the ABA parade is a time to walk around the town, roaming from block to block as the paraders passed by.
The parade began on time at 7 p.m. from Walnut Street and Hoffman Boulevard. Leading the parade was the VFW Post 7654 Color Guard, followed by the North Schuylkill Spartan High School Band. The first string band was the Commonwealth String Band, which has become a regular at ABA parades, as has the Hegeman String Band, Rajah Shrine String Band and the Avalon String Band.
Music was a big part of this year’s parade, which included The Shoreliners, Pine Grove Community Marching Band, Blue Mountain High School Marching Band and Irish Thunder. Also in the parade were Winnie the Pooh and Tigger, Harry Potter, Cookie Monster and Elmo, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, Smokey Bear, and Dora and Diego.
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