Better babies on parade in 1924

JERRY PERSON

Throughout the years, Main Street has witnessed many unusual parades

during its lifetime, but none more tender and heartwarming as the

parade we’ll recall this week.

All mothers think their baby is the most beautiful one in the

world and, of course, they are right. As a way to promote that good

health begins at a young age, our grammar school and local Red Cross

staged a Better Babies parade on Feb. 12, 1924, along Main Street.

Lynn Robb, head of the Huntington Beach chapter of the Red Cross,

and Edna Mae Pine, Central Elementary school nurse, spent many hours

planning this most moving event.

Main Street may have seen much longer parades, with more pomp and

splendor, but surely none prouder than this one.

Parents lined the streets to watch the little ones march by in

Huntington Beach’s Better Babies parade. Just picture watching these

potential little mothers pushing their doll buggies in the parade.

Each carriage was gaily decorated in beautiful colors, holding some

of the most beautiful “babies” imaginable -- dolls so lifelike you

would want to pick it up and cradle it in your arms.

These little mothers had taken special care to see that their doll

would look the best to the waiting and cheering crowd.

Following carriages came the kindergarten band to add some music

to the event, while their teachers marched along beside them.

A most unusual sight followed the band, as it was time for the

vegetables to come marching along. Youngsters dressed as vegetables,

including Carrie Carrot, Ollie Onion, Letty Lettuce, Raddie Radish,

Billy and Beatrice Beet, Susie Spinach, Tillie and Tommy Turnip.

Following the veggies came the white knights, kids dressed up as

tall bottles of milk, marching down Main Street.

The parade headed toward the Civic Auditorium for the next event

of the day, namely the “Beautiful Baby” contest. When the vegetables

and bottles of milk arrived at the auditorium, the beautiful Health

Fairy explained how these products would keep your child happy and

healthy and brought them up onstage.

But it was the baby contest that interested most of the mothers in

the audience. Twenty-five mothers had dressed their babies in their

cutest outfits, complete with all the trinkets, ribbons and laces

they could find.

As the mothers and babies took their seats on stage, the judges’

work of picking the most beautiful baby began. There were little pink

babies with dark curls and glowing dark eyes, and glorious blond

babies with golden hair and eyes as blue as the California skies.

Judging the contest were Mrs. R.W. McCool -- president of the PTA,

Elsie Patrick, Lillian Plair and C.W. Patrick. But just before these

judges entered the room to take their seats, a little girl told each

one that her baby sister, sitting over there on grandma’s lap, was

the most beautiful baby in the world.

“Just give my little sister the prize,” she told each judge.

A special program was arranged while the judges made up their

minds. Gertrude Howard and members of her Aokiya Camp Fire Girls put

on a health play for the mothers in the audience. The elementary

school’s Boys’ Glee Club came next with a tender lullaby. An encore

from the audience also brought a few tears from the parents.

It was standing-room only that day as several people had to watch

the event through the open doorway. Orange County nurse Isabel Durgan

took time to talk to the mothers in the audience about caring for

their babies and children.

The time had finally come for the judges to make a decision of who

would be the most beautiful baby.

This was a hard decision to reach, but they finally awarded first

prize of a $5 gold piece to May Elizabeth Huff, a cute little

18-month old blond beauty with azure eyes and golden curls. Huff was

the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Huff from out Wintersburg way.

Second place was awarded to 14-month old Gloria Sequeido, a beauty

with lovely black eyes and black curly hair. Twelve-month-old Johnny

Beeson of 717 Olive Ave. in Huntington Beach was awarded third place.

It was like choosing perfect roses from an assorted bouquet when

all were perfect roses, one of the judges remarked.

I’m glad I wasn’t one of the judges, for I would give all those

little babies a $5 gold first prize, because as we all know

Huntington Beach has the most beautiful babies anywhere.

* JERRY PERSON is a local historian and longtime Huntington Beach

resident. If you have ideas for future columns, write him at P.O. Box

7182, Huntington Beach, CA 92615.