1974 CHICAGO CHRISTMAS PARADE

This Chicago Christmas Parade was an animated collection of creatures floating above and marching below much to the delight of the parade watchers. The parade took place on State Street when downtown was filled with movie theaters, independent businesses and bustling department stores such as Marshall Fields, Carson Pirie Scott, Montgomery Wards, Wiebolts, Goblatts and Sears. After the parade the crowds disperse to view the elaborate window displays at Marshall Field and visit Santa Claus at the Cozy Cloud Cottage, me included!
While a student of photography at UIC in 1974 our teachers encouraged us to document the before during and after aspects of a public event. Large crowds are extremely satisfying to photograph because you are able to capture a wide range of expressions withing a single photograph. Architecture in the background of a photo can help date an image based upon the details of the building, signage and in this case what movies were playing on the marquee.
As a youngster our Mom would take us downtown and push us toward the street to get a better view. The reverberating sounds of the marching bands were exhilarating
and filled me with excitement. Take a look back at the mid-seventies when life was an analog adventure. Enjoy!