The Parade of the Hills by Sandra Russell

The Parade of the Hills

Art & Story by Sandra Russell

The Nelsonville Parade of the Hills opened last Wednesday, the 17th of August. This historic celebration (in its 72nd year!) marks the summer's end and is a rite of passage of sorts for those returning to school. This celebration is not a fair, it's not about agricultural harvest, no one is selling a pig, or judging pickles, though I think there is a pie contest? I know there have been in the recent past. This celebration reflects the traditions of the harvest time, but that  the summer workers, shifting for the fall workers? I know the brickmakers and potters of this region used to 'snowbird' to Florida in winter and return in the spring.

I think this celebration marks the end of summer as a sort of 'goodbye and see you later'! Also, even the name; parade of the hills, suggests an isolation from one another that is especially true in winter rural areas. See you later, as in when it thaws. Many people did not have the opportunity to gather much anyhow, except maybe close neighbors helping one another or family get togethers for weddings or 4th of July. The idea of a parade is very glamourous in such isolation and is a chance to be friendly with communities nearby, that are little known, maybe never been there...so, that's what Murray City is doing.

So, that's the band [see illustration] from Logan (the Logan Marching band is a favorite of mine, and I didn't go to that school). There is a beauty pageant where smiling waving girls from tots to teens play dress up for serious wins! Scholarships and great opportunities to participate as a graceful and patient citizen. There is a fiddling contest that draws many folks. When I was a child I came to the parade and the fiddle contest was the big draw...the square was packed with hooting and hollering for the favorites…and they were not wanting for talent. The contest is now indoors and there is a nominal fee. It's probably still good to watch and hear, but entirely more "indoorsy" than when I was young. Also, not done in more than fifty years I'm sure; when I was about ten, a thrilling horserace took the square...any sort of horse who entered could run it.

Everything was spontaneous...want to fiddle? Get up there- got a pony to run...start here with the rest of em. I just was reading about the Parade of the Hills history, and it seems the festival is more than 72 years old, because formerly did not include the beauty pageant or a parade and was a combination of a school reunion, a baseball game and a carnival. The local civic groups decided to add monies and events to the whole as a way to fund a Christmas charity and so the "Parade of the Hills" was born in 1950 from another annual  gathering called the "Hocking Valley Festival". I did not find as yet the beginnings of that event. But it is interesting to me that this sort of festival, simply of regional neighboring towns began and continues to go on. The contest between festival Queens should be looked into. Of course Jackson has the Apple Festival, and Circleville has the pumpkins, but still agriculture, even to stretch a bit is the "Moonshine" Festival (corn). But the Parade of the Hills is just that. The people of these communities show themselves and people want to see them.

Editor’s Note: Sandra submitted her story prior to the Parade of the Hills, but we’ve been a wee bit behind. Mark your calendar for next years’ event! Visit the Nelsonville Chamber of Commerce website to see all of the exciting events in southeastern Ohio’s premier hometown.