GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - Long before Red Suspenders Day became one of Gridley’s signature traditions, downtown merchants were simply trying to bring people back to Main Street.

In May 1961, The Gridley Herald promoted what was called the city’s first “Sidewalk Days Sale,” a two-day effort aimed at boosting local business and creating a festival atmosphere downtown. Merchants rolled merchandise onto sidewalks, local artists painted demonstrations in public view and car dealers lined the streets with new vehicles. Bands played, civic groups sold refreshments and radio station KPAY broadcast interviews from the event.

Organizers called it one of the biggest cooperative promotions the city had attempted in years.

“Since this is our first attempt at a promotion such as this, we are happy with the cooperative attitudes of everyone,” committee chairman Don Giles said at the time. “We hope to make it an annual affair and to have more added attractions each year.”

What followed would become one of Gridley’s longest-running community traditions.

Gridley’s first Red Suspenders Day was celebrated in 1963 combined with the towns Sidewalk Days offering bargains and fun for everyone. The event included the Fireman’s Ball at Portuguese Hall, and the City of Gridley open house. Archive File Photo

A year later, in May 1962, local volunteer firefighters revived the Fireman’s Ball, a dance fundraiser that had not been held in two decades. The event raised more than $500 for firefighting equipment and planted the idea for something larger.

Fireman Dutch Thayer announced plans were already underway for “a bigger and better event next year,” possibly involving downtown businesses, a baseball breakfast and a parade.

By May 1963, those ideas came together.

Gridley hosted its first official Red Suspenders Days on May 31 and June 1, combining the Sidewalk Days promotion with a firefighter-centered community celebration. The event was organized through a partnership between the Gridley Volunteer Firemen, Gridley Merchant Committee and Gridley Boys Baseball Committee.

That year, The Gridley Herald printed its front page entirely in red ink to mark the occasion.

The Gridley Lioness Club presented the “greatest show on earth” and took first place in the 1986 non-commercial decorated theme float category.

“Banners heralding the first annual Red Suspenders Days, in conjunction with Sidewalk Days, were unfurled across Gridley intersections earlier this week,” the newspaper reported. “Through the combined efforts of the Gridley Volunteer Firemen, the Gridley Merchant Committee, and the Gridley Boys Baseball Committee, the town will take on a carnival-like atmosphere.”

Merchants dressed in turn-of-the-century clothing, often wearing red suspenders, while prizes were awarded for the best costumes. The city plaza hosted a pancake breakfast and live music from a 60-piece band entertained shoppers throughout the day.

The centerpiece was the Fireman’s Parade.

Grand Marshal Charlie Vance reportedly sounded the siren from an old American LaFrance fire truck to begin the procession. More than 80 parade entries filled downtown streets, including marching bands, floats, horseback riders, antique vehicles and decorated bicycles.

Gridley’s Veterans of Foreign Wars from Warren H. McCutcheon Psot, No. 5731, were the color guards for the 1956 march through downtown Gridley. Archive File Photo

The celebration continued to grow through the decades.

By the 1970s, Red Suspenders Day had expanded into a full weekend of activities. Newspaper archives from 1977 described more than 50 parade entries, five marching bands, bed races on Hazel Street, firemen’s games, sidewalk sales and dances at the Memorial Hall. One article from that year called it a “Perfect weather for RSD parade crowd,” noting thousands lined downtown streets for the festivities.

Bed races quickly became one of the event’s defining attractions.

Teams pushed decorated beds through downtown courses while switching runners and changing clothing mid-race. Fire departments, local businesses and community groups competed for trophies and bragging rights. The races blended competition with humor and became a crowd favorite that remains part of the celebration today.

The event also reflected changes within the community itself.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Red Suspenders Day added children’s activities, vendor booths, classic car displays and public safety demonstrations. Gridley firefighters challenged police officers in bucket brigade competitions and firefighters’ games while local museums, youth organizations and service clubs built fundraisers around the celebration.

Miss Butte County 1986 Tammy Sebastian of Oroville made an appearance at Gridley’s Red Suspenders Days Parade. She was in a slick Trans Am from Tuckers. Archive File Photo

Themes changed from year to year, but the focus remained largely the same: honoring Gridley’s volunteer spirit and bringing the community together downtown.

A 1996 Gridley Herald article described Red Suspenders Day as “A Hot Time in the Old Town of Gridley,” while promoting firefighter demonstrations, antique engines, helicopter landings and music performances.

Even as the event evolved, many traditions remained intact.

The Little League pancake breakfast still opens the day. The parade still runs through downtown. Bed races still draw crowds. Local merchants still bring activity to the streets, much like the original Sidewalk Days organizers envisioned more than six decades ago.

This year marks the 65th annual Red Suspenders Day celebration, scheduled for Saturday, May 16.  Organizers expect thousands to once again fill downtown Gridley for a day built around community traditions that trace back to a simple sidewalk sale in 1961.

For many residents, Red Suspenders Day is more than an annual festival. It is a living piece of Gridley history.