Everybody loves a parade! Old parade on court square Searcy Arkansas.

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To answer a couple of the questions asked:

The building with “soda” on the sign is Robinson’s Drug Store and that is a reference to a soda fountain.  “Soda” was a reference to what we now call seltzer water.  In those days, one would order a Coke or Pepsi; the soda jerk would put some thick flavored syrup in the bottom of the glass and then fill the rest with soda water.  My dad sold Pepsi for years, during the 1940, and would deliver the large cans, probably 20 gallons, to the local drug stores.  I still have some of the glasses they used with the “syrup line” marked on the side of the glass.

GREAT PICS.  I even got out my magnifying glass and can identify lots of classmates.  I wasn't in the band then, didn't "get" to be until 9th grade.  But when I was, because I played string bass in the concert band and therefore couldn't be walking down the street carrying the string bass, I played the bells. That's when I got to wear the uniform with the white pants and short red jacket. (see the second picture)....In the first the bell players just wore the regular black uniforms.  Wonder WHY in the world would the bell players be singled out by uniform?  AGAIN, we never thought to ask.

The first picture was taken in 1949.  My wife, Paula, was in the 8th grade and is the one with long hair in the 3rd row to the right playing clarinet. She's looking down the line to make sure it's straight.

We believe the second picture was 1950 when the band had majorettes. Sandra Lass was about 3 in that first picture.

OH I LOVE THESE PICTURES, JUST LOVE THEM!!

Barbara, love these pictures. Searcy used to have many parades. The schools even had parades for Halloween and other events. They were very exciting and to be able to ride on a float in one was the "bomb." The brick streets are still there, they are now covered with asphalt. A couple of years ago, the Highway Department did some repair work on Race Street, just outside the First Security Bank. They dug up the street and had a pretty good size pile of those bricks. A friend of mine got me a couple. Those not taken were hauled off to a land fill most likely. Not sure of the outcome. I know the bricks were still there in 1951. I fell out of the car, the door was not closed good, there at the side of the Rialto, Spring Street, when she stopped our car there at the stop sign. I was on my way to a birthday party. I was not hurt, just my feelings. Of course, I was standing up in the front seat of the car as all kids did then. Landed on the bricks and skinned my knees but all was well. Did not want to go to the birthday party, as I did not like the person very well. She made me go anyway. Tears and all.