On November 20, 1954, the West Arcadia Business Association and the Baldwin Avenue merchants introduced the “West Arcadia Christmas Parade.” Santa and his reindeer led the parade, children with their decorated bicycles, wagons, doll buggies, and pets, were followed by four high school marching bands and drill teams. The parade route was on Baldwin Avenue to Naomi and ended at the parking lot behind the Hinshaw’s Department Store on the south-west corner of Baldwin and Duarte. The event was a success and plans were made for a repeat parade in 1955.
In 1956, Elb Souders of the Arcadia High School and Ray Bowman, Apache Band Director, joined the parade committee. The parade was re-named the West Arcadia Invitational Band, and this gave the parade a new approach. An estimated 50,000 viewed the parade in 1957 with the Arcadia Music Club joining in to give financial assistance.
From the 1960s forward, the West Arcadia Band Review and the Festival of Bands were sponsored and directed by the Arcadia Music Club and became a respected Band Review.
The number of volunteers increased and attendance soared.
In 1992, the Field Tournament was added, and was eventually moved to Citrus College Campus.
Over the years, the Arcadia Music Club has sponsored the “Arcadia Festival of Bands” and the event has maintained its position as one of the most prestigious high school parades in Southern California.
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Carol Libby and Karen Hou
Carol Libby & Karen Hou
Arcadia Historical Society