Dancing in the Street
by Barry Bauer
This scene took place June 23, 1937 on Clinton Ave., downtown St. Johns. They were celebrating the long awaited completion of the newly paved street. Shuyler L. Marshall acted as master of ceremonies.
The evening’s entertainment began with an hour of music by the St. Johns band under the direction of Harold Pixley. The crowd was being entertained in this picture by the Michigan Mountaineers. Other bands participated as well.
Crowd estimates were anywhere from hundreds to over a thousand. People from all over the surrounding communities came to help celebrate. There was a wooden dance floor setup to the right of the band that later began to break up so the dance was continued in the National Bank hall.
Businesses across the street include Bruno’s Restaurant (on the corner) followed by what used to be Bozzo Bros. Candyland and Soda Fountain, Strauser’s Restaurant, and Burke’s AG Food Market.