Is Western Mass Home to the Rag Shag Parade?
Kids line up for Ashfield's Rag Shag Parade. (Photo credit: Sienna Wildfield)
A couple of years ago the question on the origins of the “rag shag parade” was proposed to our readers:
I had never heard of a rag shag parade until I moved to Western Mass. And as far I can tell, this style of parade is a local phenomenon. You don’t hear about rag shag parades happening in Minnesota or Louisiana. Not even Boston! Correct me if I’ve overlooked something, but they seem to take place largely in Western Mass, with at least eleven happening this week. So what gives? How did they originate, and why Western Mass?
And just what is a rag shag parade? Judging from my limited experience, rag shag parades are free-for-all community events where families dress-up in costume and loosely parade down their local town’s main drag. Sometimes fire engines lead the way, sometimes fire engines close up behind. At at the end of the parade there are typically refreshments, activities and/or a bonfire. The kids run around, the adults hide behind masks, and often times trick-or-treating begins. I’m certain there are variations to this format. We’ve been to a number of rag shag parades since our daughter was born. All in Western Mass and all followed a similar pattern. Share with us your favorite rag shag parade stories.
The Great Pumpkin sits outside of the Ashfield Hardware Store and Country Pie on Main Street on Halloween night, waiting for the rag shag parade and trick or treater's to travel by. This one ton beauty was grown in Plainfield and wired to hear and speak to passersby. (Photo credit: Sienna Wildfield)
R. Joshua Mobley posted a great response to this inquiry. He writes:
“In response to your inquiry on the history of the Rag-Shag, yes it is a New England, and more specifically, W. Mass phenomenon. This history is a little sketchy, but what I found out was that the actual term “Rag-Shag” is an inverse derivative of “Shag-rag”, which literally means: The unkempt and ragged part of the community. Being that the term has slang origins, the actual point of origin is vague at best, circa turn of the 20th century.
“Essentially it was the ruffians and derelicts that began the parade, sort of as a protest to the disparity of classism. It was the only acceptable way their voice could be heard from a voiceless group. Over time it merged with Halloween festivities such as trick-or-treating which did not become a widespread practice until the 1930s, with the first U.S. appearances of the term in 1934,and the first use in a national publication occurring in 1939.”
RAG SHAG PARADES: HALLOWEEN 2010
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The list below has been submitted by community members, and will be updated as news comes in from others, so check back. If you have a parade to add to the list, or a correction to what’s suggested below, please post in our comment box or email hilltownfamilies@gmail.com.
Sunday, 10/24/2010
- Hadley: At 4:45pm, meet at the Hopkins Academy parking lot.
Wednesday, 10/27/2010
- Easthampton: At 6:30pm, meet at Maple St. School. Treats for all children at the Williston- Northampton School quadrangle on Park St.
Friday, 10/29/2010
- Greenfield: At 5:30pm, line up at Mohawk Mall parking lot. Trick or treating downtown prior to parade.
- Westfield: 6pm starting at the Elks Club on Franklin St.
- Pittsfield: 7pm is the 66th Annual Halloween Parade, beginning on North Street and end at Wahconah Park.
As Halloween night fun fades, the Great Pumpkin lights Main Street of Ashfield, MA, saying good night to the last passersby. (Photo credit: Sienna Wildfield)
Saturday, 10/30/2010
- Haydenville: At 5:45pm line up at the M.J. Moran parking lot between 5:45 and 6pm. March to the American Legion for fun, games and refreshments. (Thanks, Mindy!)
- Russell: 2-4pm at the elementary school. Parade for different age groups.
Sunday, 10/31/2010
- Amherst: At 12:45pm, gather at Sweetser Park on Main Street for the parade that marches up Main Street, down North Pleasant Street to Kellogg Avenue ending at Bangs Center on Boltwood Walk. Inside the Bangs Center, the fun continues from 1 to 4 p.m. at a carnival in the Large Activity Room with games, performance, a haunted house, prizes, and refreshments.
- Ashfield: Gather at 6pm at Neighbors then walk to fire station for cider and donuts. Trick or treating follows parade
- Belchertown: At 6pm meet at the CHCS parking lot.
- Cummington: Main Street. Time to be announced.
- Conway: Parade at 6:30pm
- Florence: At 5:30pm gather at Triangle Park. Concert with School for the Dead prior to the parade.
- Plainfield: TBA
- Shelburne Falls: Parade marches over bridge. Gathers around 5:30pm, but not confirmed.
- Shutesbury: At dark down Leverett Rd., near the fire station, to the library.
- Westhampton: 6:15pm Beginning in the Hampshire Regional High School parking lot. Trick or treating follows.
- Williamsburg: 6pm starting at Mill Street and ending at the Williamsburg Fire Station for games and refreshments.
Rag Shag Westfield said,
October 31, 2010 at 10:07 am
The Rag Shag in Westfield Friday Night was a success again.
Pictures and Story on link.
http://wenpub2.com/blog/?p=9516
Mindy Kelly said,
October 20, 2010 at 10:22 am
The Haydenville Rag Shag is on Saturday October 30th. Line up at the M.J. Moran Parking Lot between 5:45 and 6:00. March to the American Legion for fun, games and refreshments.