Hundreds attend historic Rolla Sesquicentennial Parade

   Hundreds of citizens lined Pine Street to follow in the footsteps of Rolla pioneers, and make history while attending Rolla’s Sesquicentennial Parade on Saturday, June 4.

   Fifteen different decades (1861-2011) were represented in the historic “Rolla –Then and Now” parade that celebrated Rolla’s Incorporation as a City on Jan. 25, 1861. The parade started at 6^th and Pine Street, traveled north on Pine (historic U.S. Route 66), East on 8^th Street, and then north again along Elm Street where it passed the downtown bandshell where the Sesquicentennial Ceremony was held later that morning.

   A special thanks goes to parade co-chairs Larry Stratman, Phelps County Commissioner and Aimee Campbell, Tourism Director, Rolla Area Chamber of Commerce, and all of the individuals, students, countries, civic groups, service clubs, classic cars, oxen teams, Union and Confederate historic re-enactors, businesses and City departments who helped make the parade a big success. 

SSgt. Rick Williams, representing the Rolla Police Department, and members of the Rolla VFW, lead the Rolla Sesquicentennial Parade held Saturday, June 4, 2011 in downtown Rolla. 

Members of the Sondershausen, Germany delegation, display a banner paying tribute to Rolla’s Sister City relationship and Rolla’s 150th Birthday. The four-member delegation was hosted by the Rolla families of Kay DuBois and Lina Madison during their visit June 2-7, 2011. 











Members of the Southern Cherokee Tribe were among the many individuals who braved 95-degree temperatures during the Rolla Sesquicentennial Parade June 4, 2011.

Members of the Ozark Spirit Cloggers were one of many groups that participated in the historic Rolla Sesquicentennial Parade along Pine Street on June 4, 2011.

Rolla Mayor Bill Jenks, III and his wife, Jeannie are escorted by Bill Cochran in he and his wife Kathy’s 1960 Chevy Impala as they make their way down 8th Street during the Rolla Sesquicentennial Parade on June 4, 2011. Also pictured in the back seat is Missouri S&T student Domenica Cambio who is representing the flag of her country, Italy. Cambio, a four-year international student, is being hosted by Bill and Kathy Cochran through the International Students program at Missouri S&T.  

Students from Missouri University of Science and Technology enthusiastically promote the Celebration of Nations event that will be held in downtown Rolla on Saturday, Sept. 24 beginning with a parade on Pine Street at 11 a.m. The theme One Campus, One Community, One World is included along with the Missouri S&T and City of Rolla logos.