The 1974 float, prize-winner “Happiness is …a Thing of Beauty,” was rumored to be the city’s last, as difficulties recruiting volunteers, dwindling financial resources, rising costs of flowers, and the retiring of veteran volunteers needed to train newbie spelled disaster for the one of the oldest traditions in the Parade.

Excerpt from The SouthPas Float Story-2006 Official Souvenir “a History of Doing it Ourselves“ by Jim Taveres