Turn of the
Century Parade
Three Hallmark ornaments — the complete Turn of the Century Parade series, 1995 through 1997. Each one sculpted by Ken Crow. Each one a different parade figure riding a turn-of-the-century vehicle. The Fireman on his fire wagon (bells ring, wheels turn). Uncle Sam on his horse-drawn carriage. Santa Claus on a tricycle-shaped horse with a bell and red spoked wheels. Three years. Three marchers. The parade is complete. All here.
Bells That Ring and Wheels That Turn — Interactive on Every Entry
Every ornament in the Turn of the Century Parade series is interactive: the bells ring when moved and the wheels on each vehicle turn. The 1995 Fireman has a large gold bell on the wagon and red wheels that turn; the 1997 Santa has a bell and red spoked wheels. These are not static ornaments — they are mechanical parade floats in miniature. Hang them where a passing breeze, an opening door, or a curious hand can set the bells ringing. The parade is not just visual. It is audible.
The Fireman, Uncle Sam, and Santa — The Turn-of-the-Century Parade
The Turn of the Century Parade series launched in 1995 as part of Hallmark’s Showcase line — the premium QK sub-catalog. The series brings three iconic American parade figures to life in the die-cast metal and pressed tin aesthetic of Victorian and Edwardian parade floats and horse-drawn vehicles. Each figure rides a turn-of-the-century vehicle, each has bells that ring and wheels that turn, each is sculpted by Ken Crow with the kind of parade-float detail that rewards close inspection.
The 1995 Fireman (#1, QK1027, 3” H, 4” L) opens the parade: a fireman sitting atop a fire wagon, holding his horse by the reins, with a large gold bell dated 1995 on the wagon and red wheels that turn. The 1996 Uncle Sam (#2, QK1084) follows on his horse-drawn carriage — the patriotic symbol of American national identity, in parade-float form. And in 1997, Santa Claus closes the series (#3, QX1215, 3.5”) — riding a tricycle-shaped horse with a bell and red spoked wheels, in the pressed tin and metal format that evokes the wind-up toys of the early 20th century. The parade concludes with the most beloved figure in the American Christmas tradition.
Artist: Ken Crow · 3” H × 4” L
Fireman on fire wagon · gold bell dated 1995 · red wheels turn · bell rings
Artist: Ken Crow
Patriotic parade figure · horse-drawn carriage · bells ring · wheels turn
Tips for the Complete Collection
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01Display in numbered sequence as a complete parade — Fireman leads, Uncle Sam follows, Santa closes. The Turn of the Century Parade series is designed to march in order: the Fireman opens the parade in 1995, Uncle Sam carries the patriotic middle in 1996, and Santa Claus closes it in 1997. In sequence on adjacent branches, the three figures create a complete American holiday parade procession. The parade has a beginning, a middle, and an end — display it that way.
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02Hang where the bells will actually ring. Every Turn of the Century Parade ornament has bells that ring when moved. Position them on outer branches near a doorway or in a spot where air movement or passing traffic will set them in motion. A parade should make noise. These do.
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03All 3 Turn of the Century Parade Hallmark ornaments — the complete 1995–1997 series — are at Already Christmas. The Fireman, Uncle Sam, and Santa Claus. Bells ringing, wheels turning. The complete parade. All three here.
Every Turn of the Century Parade Keepsake
Fireman · Uncle Sam · Santa Claus. Click to shop.
Ken Crow sculpted a fireman on his fire wagon in 1995 — gold bell, red wheels, the bell rings when moved, the wheels turn. Uncle Sam followed on his carriage in 1996. And in 1997, Santa Claus closed the parade on a tricycle-shaped horse with a bell and red spoked wheels — pressed tin and metal, the most beloved figure in the American Christmas tradition bringing the parade to its natural conclusion. Three years. Three marchers. The Fireman, Uncle Sam, and Santa. Bells ringing. The complete turn-of-the-century parade. All three here.
✦ Part of our Collection: Hallmark American Heritage & Parade Series, Explored ✦