Wampum, PA – Each year, the Wampum Area Christmas Parade Committee prepares floats that do not compete in the popular float contest. They like to add to parade line-up each to assure new and fresh content to complement the familiar traditions. Long time Parade Chairperson Donna Kuiken chooses themes that will delight the kids along the parade route. “It has always been about the kids,” she acknowledges. Often a popular movie sparks the inspiration for the floats, but this year the committee is going “old school” with a float featuring the books of Theodor Seuss Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss.
The year 2017 marks the 90th year since Dr. Seuss’ first publication, a piece paid for and published by the Saturday Evening Post July 16, 1927. In the following decades until his death in 1991, the artist and writer filled our heads with rhyme and surreal visions of his created characters and worlds which can only be described as his own genre.
Sue Scherer, the local artist behind much of the floats’ artwork in recent years worked with her husband Noah to create oversized replicas of some of Dr. Seuss’s best known books. The result is worthy of a library. Sue quickly points out that she does not work alone. Sue creates the art, Noah conceptualizes a crowd-pleasing way to display the work, and 10 additional parade committee members come together for a day to transform an ordinary trailer into a magical platform for the Parade.
“Everyone shows up on Float day. We work hard for about 4 hours and then enjoy a home cooked meal which Donna prepares ahead of time.” says Bob Shrock who has served on the parade committee with Donna and her husband Jack for more than 30 years. The Wampum VFD graciously provides space to construct the floats and they participate as part of the Parade line up.
You will see the “90 Years of Dr. Seuss” Float this Saturday, Dec 2nd in downtown Wampum, as well as many floats and other attractions. For more information on the Wampum Area Christmas Parade which starts at 1 pm, see their Facebook Page.
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- Sue Scherer with her handcrafted book cover replications.
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- Sneak Peak of the Seuss Float
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- Noah Scherer putting finishing touches on the frames that will display the book covers.
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- Donna Kuiken welcoming the float crew to a home cooked meal
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