Parade on Sweeney Street, featuring fire departments (1961)

Parade on Sweeney Street, featuring fire departments (1961)

These four color photos from a parade on Sweeney Street take us back to a summer day beside the canal in 1961. They feature a brass band looking sharp in candy-striped jackets and hats, the fire department's fire engine-red "Old Smokey," and National Hose Company #1 resplendent in blue and red country-and-western gear. They are charming, no? Note: A Facebook subscriber has identified the band as "Bill Bailey's Band."