Friends of Historic Forest Grove Digital Exhibits

Women's dance routine at Gay Nineties festival

A black and white photograph by Allan J. de Lay featuring a women's dance routine performing at the 1961 Gay Nineties festival in Forest Grove. The group is likely performing at a theater in a local school. The names listed on the artistic backdrop in the photograph signify that the event was attended by the residents of the nearby communities of Gales Creek and Hillsboro.

This is one photograph from a collection on the Gay Nineties festival and the the Original All-Northwest Barbershop Ballad Contest in Forest Grove, Oregon. The festival centered around a theme of nostalgia for the 1890s decade. The event, which ran from 1947 through the 1990s, featured a parade downtown, residents dressing up in 1890s-themed costumes for the celebrations, local businesses decorating their window displays, and the crown jewel of the event, the Original All-Northwest Barbershop Ballad Contest, which earned Forest Grove the nickname "Ballad Town U.S.A."

De Lay, Allan J.

February 25, 1961

FHFG_G90_165

Forest Grove (Or.)

Nostalgia--United States--19th century

Nostalgia--United States--History--20th century

Barbershop quartets

Barbershop singing

Parades

Festivals

Forest Grove, Oregon

Online access to this image is for research and educational purposes only. To inquire about permissions, order a reproduction, or for more information, please contact Friends of Historic Forest Grove at: info@fhfg.org

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Friends of Historic Forest Grove