Miss America and Manufacturers' Day in Americus

My friend and colleague at Habitat for Humanity, Mamie Dunston, recently brought me several copies of the Americus Times-Recorder from the 1950s. They had been saved by her mother, known to everyone as Baby Graddick, who had recently passed and Mamie figured I would be interested. She knows me all too well.

One of the newspaper editions was celebrating Manufacturers’ Day, an earnest attempt by the good citizens of Americus and Sumter County to diversify our economic base. They would see their plan reach fruition four years later with the advent of the mobile home industry which lasted for almost two decades thereafter.

From the Americus Times-Recorder of July 21, 1953: Under the headline “Special ‘M-Day’ Festivities Open This Morning; ‘Miss America’ To Ride Float in Gigantic Parade” “City Gaily Decorated For Many Outstanding Events Of Program” by Rudy Hayes, managing editor, the Times-Recorder.

“The big day finally arrived, Americus awoke with a wave of fiesta in the air this morning as she prepared to honor an important segment of her economic make-up with a gala and special “Manufacturers’ Day.”

“And “Day” it is, for activities are planned for more than 14 hours of the day starting at 11 a.m. with what is expected to be possibly the longest and most decorative parade in the history of this Southwest Georgia city of 12,000 population.

“And appearing at the zenith point throughout the entire period will be the nation’s number one beauty queen, “Miss America” herself, in the form of Miss Neva Jane Langley of Macon. “Miss America” will ride atop the Junior Chamber of Commerce Float in the gigantic parade, afterwards attend a testimonial barbecue for the merchants at the Community Center starting at noon, sit in on a concert by a military band from Fort Benning at 3 p.m., and then top the festivities off by being guest of honor at a city-wide dance at the Legion Home from 8:30-12:30 a.m.

“Initiated by the Americus Jaycees the entire section has rapidly fallen into line in the affair which is designed to pay tribute to the almost 40 industrial firms and organizations of the city. This, in an area where agriculture has been the predominant factor of income since the first settlers.

“Thus it is also planned to show Georgia and the nation as well that Americus is “alive” and wishes to grow and progress by extending a welcome to new industry.

“Arduous work and planning have gone into the presentation of “M-Day” by the Jaycees, and barring any unforeseen developments the day’s events are expected to be carried our like clockwork.

“The 62 units comprising the parade are scheduled to begin assembling at 10 a.m., the floats on Tripp street, the marching sections at Lamar and Forsyth nearer town. The latter is set to move into the overall parade as it moves down Forsyth street. The line will then continue down Forsyth to the intersection of Lamar at the viaduct in the west section of the city, precede back to South Lee down to College street, into Jackson avenue on to the Community Center where the assemblage will disband. Floats will be parked on the ball park grounds for the public to view.

“Following this the citizenry is urged to join in the expected 2,000-person group for the barbecue at which Frank Myers, Jaycee, will welcome the visitors

“Then at 3 p.m. in front of the Windsor Hotel the infantry band from Fort Benning will give a concert.

“The final event of the day will be a climactic semi-formal dance at the Legion Home with honor guest, “Miss America” attending. Music will be furnished by the “4-Clefs.”

“All in all it’s going to be a big day, and each and every citizen and visitor is cordially invited to join in the celebration of any or all of the festivities.