Fifty years ago — Aug. 7, 1965 — the DNT reports a “powerful nor’easter” threatened to put a damper on the annual Portorama Parade, but some 30,000 spectators toughed out the inclement weather.

A baker’s dozen of lovely young things attired in swim suits, goose flesh and blue skin were undaunted by the drizzle and cold. Sitting on their Shoppers’ City float, they shivered a reply that it was a great night for a parade, that they were happy to be in it.

Fluttering caps, wind-whipped formals, not a bad word to be said about parade conditions, whether the queen be blonde, brunette or redhead, or from Eveleth, Esko or Proctor.

One cannon blast, then another. The U.S. Marine Corps color guard waded off to establish the Portorama Parade beachhead.

Forty-five minutes of drizzle and about an hour of rain and it was over.

Candidates for queen of the Esko Fair ride the Esko float.–(Staff photo by Charles Curtis)

Parade Marshal Leonard Bush, national Elks ruler, greets parade watchers.–(Staff photo by Charles Curtis)

The Royal Canadianettes of Port Arthur, Ont., came 200 miles to march.–(Staff photo by Charles Curtis)

The Holmans, a vocal trio, and Jessica Holman, exotic dancer, appear in Leon Claxton’s New Harlem Revue on the Royal American Shows midway at the Tri-State Fair in Superior. The fair continues today and Sunday.

Mary Elmquist beams with pride as she displays one of the biggest bubbles blown at the Portorama bubblegum contest Friday.–(Staff photo by George Starkey)

A 9-1/2 incher is inflated by Mike Suomela, St. James Children’s Home.–(Staff photo by George Starkey)

Not quite in time — Delano O’Donald, 2804 Wellington St., had a blowout before Verna Christenson, one of the contest judges, could measure it.–(Staff photo by George Starkey)

Jim Byrne, 190-1/2 E. 3rd St., gets a face full of gum rather than a prize winning bubble.–(Staff photo by George Starkey)

The families of Northeastern Minnesota’s soap box derby entrants visited the boys Friday at Derbytown. In the photo above are: Steve Ingle, 15; Douglas Ingle, 12, Duluth’s entrant; Carl Ingle, Douglas’ father; Cathy Ingle, 9, and Mrs. Carl Ingle of Hoyt Lakes. In the photo below are: Cecil Wytaske, Gary Wytaske’s father; Gary, 12, Silver Bay’s entrant, and Mrs. Cecil Wytaske of Babbitt.