We invited fans of the Essex on Lake Champlain Facebook page to play some Vintage Essex Trivia when we posted this old photo as our cover image last week. We asked the community to tell us what they think of the photo and if they could identify where it was, who was in it, and what was happening. Our thanks go to Todd Goff for sharing this photo with us!
Though many people seemed to like this funky snapshot of Essex’s past, we unfortunately did not receive any comments. Perhaps because it is easy to figure out what’s going on with a look at the banner reading, “Whallonsburg-Bay Stone Concert Featuring The Flintstones. Get Your Free Tickets Here.”
The photo appears to capture a float in (perhaps) the Fourth of July parade advertising a Flintstone inspired concert! The Old Essex Firehouse is featured in the background, and so you can tell that the float is on Main Street in Essex, NY. The man and women featured center are wearing the garb of the cavemen-era Flintstones, and the man looks to be wearing a wig or maybe even a mop on his head. They all look to be having fun! I wonder what inspired this float and concert? Perhaps you can tell us?
I would guess this photo was taken in the sixties or seventies. Do any of you have a better or more precise guess? Or may even remember this event? Share your insights in the comments!
Mark Douglas says
That picture of the Whallonsbay/burg float was from a 4th of July parade that we (the Douglas’s) from Whallonsbay and the Ingelstroms (from Whallonsburg) did. I am not sure on the year but it was probably the early 70’s. Good times!
Mark Douglas
George Davis says
Mark, thanks for demystifying this photo! Any chance you can name the people on the float?
Chet Douglas says
Carl Ingelstrom – driving the tractor (out of shot), From Left to right – Missy Ingelstrom (under “S” in Stone”), Chet Douglas (dark hair, bowl hair cut, under the “C” in Concert), Mark Douglas (long blond hair, under the “O” in Concert), Judy Ingelstrom (long blond hair in ponytail, under the “Y” in Bay, Edwin Douglas (wild man standing playing flute), Patty Ingelstrom (shorter curly blond hair, sitting to left of Bernie, to the left of ” FIRE”), and Bernie Douglas (sitting on back of float playing flute, under the “F” in FIRE…. Good times indeed!
Chet Douglas