JERRY PERSON
Just one more month to go before the year is ended and a new one
begins.
But what a month it used to be, especially for the children of our
town. For in December, Main Street was transformed into a Christmas
wonderland with all the spirit of the coming holidays.
In 1955 the holidays unofficially began with a presentation by the
students from Huntington Beach High School of "Gloria" on Dec. 6.
The play is the story of a shepherd who stays behind to tend a
wounded lamb. In the play, James McGrew played a wise man with Joyce
Augar playing Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist, Karen Herreld as
Mary and E.J. Watson as Mary's husband Joseph.
Those who participated in the play included Kenneth Bozarth, Jack
Baxter, Layne Neugart, Ralph Burrison, Ron Allen, Jim McMasters,
Richard Slater, Keith Allred, Dick Hensley, Roger Williams, Dick
Burrud and Jim Farquhar.
The entire play was under the direction of Ruth Harlow.
Two days later, the play was repeated for the student body at an
assembly.
The next night, Main Street came alive with excitement with the
annual "All Southland Salute to Santa Claus Band Review." This event
was under the direction of members of the Huntington Beach Chamber of
Commerce, and featured 37 bands and drum corps from all over the
Southland.
Who better to attend to all the little details than William
Gallienne, the master of parades and events that promote our city?
The Santa Claus parade began at 6th Street and Main Street, and
would wind along Silver Tinsel Lane, as Main Street was renamed for
the event. The parade would end at the Pavalon ballroom by the
entrance to our pier.
Huntington Beach High School student Pat Bilyk would be named Miss
Merri Christmas and ride in the parade with her princesses. Her
princesses included Carol Hodges, Kay Tinsley, Shirley Hudgeons,
Deane Levasseur, Pat Talbert and Donna Toulouse.
Police Chief Ben Dulaney and his officers cleared Main Street of
all vehicle traffic from Pacific Coast Highway to 11th Street, where
a bomb salute along the way would signal the start of the parade.
Garlands of lights overhead decorated the marchers' way and would
light the parade's route. The 15th Rifle Company from the U.S. Marine
Corps Reserve of Seal Beach carried the colors under the direction of
Capt. J.R. Terry. Members of the Huntington Beach American Legion and
the Huntington Beach Fire Department followed, riding in a fire
truck.
Marching in the parade were bands from Arcadia, St. Catherine
