Ashland Antlers bring back ABA Parade ... sort of
ASHLAND - The sound of drums in the streets of Ashland on Saturday evening surprised a lot of people, but that surprise turned to delight when they discovered an "ABA Parade" marching unit moved past their homes.
The 108th ABA Mummers Parade in 2008 was the last time the popular Labor Day weekend tradition traveled along Walnut and Centre streets with Mummers and high school bands, floats, community organizations, fire companies, and a variety of other entries delighting residents and visitors to the borough.
After years of struggling financially, along with lack of volunteers, the club decided to cancel the 2009 parade, which left many parade fans sad about the loss of their beloved ABA parade.
In order to keep the memory of the parade, even on a small scale, an idea was hatched about a month ago to have a group of the Ashland Antlers, the youth group of BPO Elks Lodge No. 384, to follow the parade path on the night when the original parade was held.
To recognize the coal mining roots of Ashland, the Antlers dressed as miners, carrying picks and shovels and led by a banner that read, "Welcome ABA." Providing the marching cadence on drums were Drew Yeselski and Zack Coward.
As the marching unit started walking up (west) on Walnut Street, people came out to see what the commotion was about. People applauded and cheered from their porches and along the curbs.
Phones weren't the only way the word was getting out. A message was placed on Facebook by Walnut Street residents.
At the top of Walnut Street, the parade moved over to Centre Street for the long walk down. Some cars moved around the Antlers unit, but many stayed in line, some blowing their horns along the way. A pickup truck decorated in ABA patriotic banners, which was not part of the original plan, according to Kane, joined the parade. The truck's occupants threw candy to the children along the way.
The number of people outside to watch the parade along Centre Street was larger, having been contacted by their friends on Walnut Street. Patrons and employees of Centre Street bars, restaurants and stores also came out to cheer and applaud the parade participants.
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