Photo of the Week, 46: Santa Spotted in Downtown Bloomington, 1929

The annual Bloomington-Normal Jaycees Christmas Parade, held this year on Saturday, December 7, was the 84th edition of this local holiday tradition. Today Mr. and Mrs. Claus appear in a hook-and-ladder fire truck along the parade route, but back in 1929 Santa's sleigh was pulled by real live reindeer! That said, the lack of snowfall meant the “right jolly old elf's" sleigh featured wheels rather than runners. Seen here is the 1929 parade moving north on the 300 block of North Main Street.Merry Christmas from the Museum's staff and Board of Directors.To see this photo overlayed on Google Street View, check out our HistoryPin page