The Crescenta-Cañada Victory Fiesta of 1942

At the outset of WWII, the civilians in the valley got busy very quickly to defend America. Even before the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, civilian defense plans were being made and days after the attack air raid wardens were selected to organize the two communities into a quasi-military defense auxiliary. By early 1942, victory gardens were being planted, blackout drills were being practiced and Foothill Boulevard became a military highway with tanks and troop carriers on their way to the Mojave Desert training grounds.

But not all the defense efforts were deadly serious. Some fun was in order as well. To promote participation and enthusiasm in the civilian defense efforts, a huge multi-day celebration was planned for late May. It would be kicked off by a gigantic parade down more days of carnival rides, demonstrations, contests and concerts.

The preparations started with the election of the Fiesta Queen. Seven local girls competed. The winner would be crowned, draped in a red ermine-lined cape and awarded a cedar hope chest.

The main event though was the parade – and an amazing assembly it was with thousands marching down Honolulu! First in line would be actual Army soldiers from units stationed in the Los Angeles area, along with their color guards and bands. They would be followed by hundreds of civilian defense volunteers, all in their white helmets, along with ambulances and firefighting equipment. Following that would be the Fiesta Queen’s float, politicians and dignitaries, along with floats from the Red Cross. 

A major focus of the parade were women’s and children’s contributions to the war efforts. The “Dirt Gardeners of La Crescenta” marched with a burro and a squad of “Women With Wheelbarrows.” There was an antique car driven by women representing World War I’s civil defense efforts. There was a women’s mounted unit and a women’s  bicycle unit. My favorite was a marching unit of the Lockheed Aircraft Worker’s Wives followed by a real airplane being pulled along the route by 16 Rosie the Riveters. (Gotta wonder – how did they get the plane there?)

The local kids were marching, too. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Sea Scouts, Cub Scouts – even a hay wagon pulled a group of pre-schoolers demonstrating their playground activities. The Pan-American Club from Clark Junior High carried 22 flags of the countries that were part of the Allied war efforts. The “Cub Marchers Gathering Salvage” encouraged the community to donate scrap metal to Cub Scouts for the war effort. High school bands and ROTC units rounded out the kids’ representation.

And the older folks marched as well in units of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, California Native Sons and a wide variety of local churches and community service organizations.

At the Victory Fiesta grounds on Montrose Avenue a stage was set up to introduce the Victory Fiesta song composed by a couple of locals. Of course politicians gave speeches and a few minor Hollywood stars were introduced. Besides the carnival rides there were many booths oriented toward the war effort.

Friday was coronation day for the Fiesta Queen. Montrose resident Miss Helen Popik, originally from Czechoslovakia, was crowned. 

The sheriff crowning her commented, “Where else but in America can a girl, whose parents were born in a foreign land, be crowned queen of a community festival?” 

A fashion show was then put on by the queen and her court.

Saturday was Mardi Gras Day. A children’s pet parade was the feature, along with an auction to raise money. A street dance was held that evening. Sunday wrapped up the festivities with a model airplane contest for the kids with the winner getting a portable radio.

Early 1942 was a dark time for the locals as initial military battles were not always won. Our young generation was sent off to war and foreign invasion seemed possible. But this celebration provided an inspiring demonstration of strength and cooperation for our community. This was something that was going on across the nation as Americans were united in a common cause.