Fourth of July Horribles Parade

The tradition of the Fourth of July horribles parade in Andover dates back to the early 1800s. The tradition waned over the years and was resurrected in 1970 by the Andover Service Club. In 1982 there was another revival of the Fourth's celebrations by the nonprofit Committee for Patriotic Observances.

The orginal parades were more an adult political event featuring floats and marchers making fun of town officials or adults dressed as hobos with carriages decorated with junk. The contemporary parade includes a more patriotic flavor of floats, children in costumes, decorated bikes and doll carriages, dressed up dogs, and patriotic banners and flags.

Horrible's Parade Andover Townsman, Past and Present, July 5, 2001

Horrible's Parade Andover Townsman, Past and Present, July 8, 2010

See

• Andover a Century of Change:1896 - 1996 by Eleanor Motley Richardson, (974.45 Ric) page 217.

• "Horribles Parade wasn't always for kids," Andover Townsman, July 1, 1999, page 19.
• "Andover has 'Horrible' history," Eagle Tribune, July 3, 2002, p. 1.

• Lawrence Eagle Tribune, July 5, 2005

--Glenda 10:37, November 24, 2006 (EST)

--Eleanor (talk) 16:39, 8 May 2015 (EDT)

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