Veiled Prophet’s 132nd Parade “Made in St. Louis”

His Mysterious Majesty, The Veiled Prophet of Khorassan, commanded an especially historic 132nd Parade for the wonderful citizens of his beloved, adopted City of Saint Louis, Friday, July 4, 2014. His chosen theme for the 2014 Veiled Prophet Parade revolved around “Made in Saint Louis”. The V.P. Parade, through its floats and other units, reflected the world-wide enjoyment experienced by young and old alike as they lined major boulevards, suburban streets and narrow village roads to celebrate events ranging from national holidays to religious holy days, sporting victories, seasonal festivities, and fallen heroes.

From a historical viewpoint, the Mystical Order of the Veiled Prophet of the Enchanted Realm of Khorassan was founded in 1878 to “promote the interests of St. Louis”. As its first activity, the organization decided to sponsor a fall pageant (forerunner of the annual Veiled Prophet Parade) to renew interest in the annual St. Louis Agricultural and Mechanical Fair. A Grand Ball also was established as an adjunct of the pageant. Impetus for the founding of the Veiled Prophet Organization came from Charles Slayback, a prosperous grain merchant.

Horse-drawn floats appeared in the early years. Starting in 1946, truck tractors, driven by professional drivers, pulled the floats. In 1955, farm tractors replaced truck tractors. Lately, utility vehicles, lawn tractors, and self-propelled floats have become more prevalent.

Originally, 1,000 torch lights plus hundreds of lanterns illuminated the floats. Commencing in 1903, electric power came from the Street Rail System, replaced by portable generators in 1954. Fifteen years later, the V.P. Parade changed from nighttime to day.

Besides producing one of the oldest parades in the nation, the Veiled Prophet Organization also has contributed funding for the Grand Staircase, connecting the Gateway Arch with the riverfront, and the lighting of the famous Eads Bridge.

More than a decade ago, the “maids project” began as a partnership between the Veiled Prophet and Habitat for Humanity. Fathers and daughters worked together to help build affordable housing in some of St. Louis’ more distressed neighborhoods.

In 2005, the initiative expanded to include assisting the City of St. Louis School Board, Beyond Housing, and the Herbert Hoover Boys and Girls Clubs. Daughters volunteered their time to community service on two Saturdays during the summer before their debuts to benefit these organizations. The response was overwhelming. Daughters and their fathers painted, spread mulch, and cleaned yards, parks and neighborhoods around the Saint Louis metropolitan area as a way of giving back to the community.

Since 2005, the Community Service Initiative has helped provide 65,000 meals for HIV and cancer patients, has assisted in the renovation and repair of dozens of homes in Pine Lawn and Pagedale, and has overseen some of the flowers and landscaping found every year around St. Louis public spaces. Highlights from last year’s initiative include the installation of a flagpole at the U.S. Veterans facility, St. Louis County, the painting of a mural at the North Community School, and the construction of a landscape wall at Rainbow Village. Last summer’s efforts encompassed nearly 400 volunteers who contributed 2,300 hours of community service to a group of charities serving the St. Louis metropolitan area.