Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
SUNDAY SCHOOL PARADE
SUNDAY SCHOOL PARADE. Annual event of Protestant churches in the Dubuque area. Eastern cities had similar celebrations years before Dubuque. Led in the Midwest by such cities as Davenport, Moline and Rock Island, Dubuque residents became interested in the activity through the visit around 1908 of Mr. Harry Van Duter, secretary of the Rock Island association. (1)
Van Duter met with John E. Hedley of Dubuque who became interested in the idea. An executive committee was formed and Hedley often served as president but also secretary and manager. For his work he was eventually given the nickname "Sunday School" Hedley. (2) B. M. Harger served as the first president of the group. During the term of S. B. Lattner, the city attracted the Iowa State Sunday School convention so a parade and picnic were jointly held. The convention was recorded on 2,500 feet of film which was shown around the United States with parts being incorporated into news services. (3)
The day of the picnic was set for the first Tuesday following the close of Sunday school. Originally the picnic was held in August and then July, but it was found that people were on vacation. (4) In 1931 an estimated ten thousand people came to EAGLE POINT PARK for a picnic as part of the festivities. (5) In the parade, First Congregational Church and Immanuel Congregational Church united their efforts and presented a historical pageant of eight floats.
Among the prizes given for entries was an American flag to the school having the greatest number of married people in the parade. An American flag was also given to the school having the largest number of children and adults in the parade. A prize of ten dollars went to the school having the best float. The same amount of money went to the second best float.
(Photo Courtesy: http://www.dubuquepostcards.com)
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Source:
1. "Annual Sunday School Parade and Picnic to be Held Tuesday," Telegraph Herald and Times Journal, June 21, 1931, p. 4
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid.
5. "Record Crowd Out for Sunday School Picnic," Telegraph Herald and Times Journal, June 24, 1931, p. 4