A Ribbon of Ribbon Cuttings

History tells us that the first commemorative ribbon cutting ceremony in America likely took place in Union Parish, Louisiana to celebrate the opening of a railroad line in northern Louisiana in 1898.  Using small scissors and thin ribbon, the ceremony borrowed from the symbolic traditions of French and Italian weddings, where grooms would cut a ribbon across the road on the way to the church ceremony (France), or the father of the bride would cut the ribbon across the threshold of the newly blessed marital home (Italy).

Drawing on the wedding tradition, the ribbon cutting marked a moment in time that was filled with anticipation, happiness, and the promise of something exciting.  It marked 'new access", and the elimination of barriers, and in the business context, the meaning hasn't changed - a ribbon cutting was a chance to celebrate development with a community.  Of course, from 1898 to the mid 1950's, this wasn't exactly the easiest thing to capture on camera, and the moment was more or less about the celebration of a community who attended in support of one another - building off the pomp and circumstance of the christening of a ship, or the driving of the "golden spike" at the completion of the railroad.

Ribbon cutting ceremonies didn't become what they are today until around 1956, when a man with a vision for pomp and circumstance beyond the norm set the tone for a more elaborate ceremony, to go along with the opening of his branded theme parks, hotels, and studios.  That's right - we turn to Mr. Walt Disney and the so-called "House of Mouse" to see the modern iteration of a business ribbon cutting come to life.  With commemorative scissors and ribbon, red carpets and posed photos or video, the ribbon cuttings of today took shape at events like the 1956 Disneyland Hotel opening, the launch of Disney's monorail in 1959, and became a fully Americanized ideal with the launch of the World Trade Center in 1973.
 
(Check out this recently found footage of one of the first Disney ribbon cuttings, at the Disneyland Hotel.)

We're no Walt Disney Company, but in the Greater Susquehanna Valley, your Chamber is proud to help our members mark the occasions that mean the most to them.  Recently, we've had a "ribbon of ribbon cuttings" - from our march across Watsontown alongside our good friends at the Watsontown Area Business Association (WABA), to the Good Friday celebration at Greenbrier Grooming & Pet Resort in Dornsife.  

 


Now that "Spring has sprung", it seems that the time to celebrate newness of life and growth is fitting for this season.  Join us as we continue to celebrate the growth in our communities- come out not for the ceremony and pomp, but more to help our friends to mark their occasions of significance - with the support and camaraderie that real community brings.  

We're particularly grateful for our friends at The Daily Item, who did a wonderful job covering the exciting news of our ribbon cutting events and telling their stories.  To read their coverage and see their pictures, check out the links below:

Greenbrier Grooming & Pet Resort

Watsontown Area Business Association (WABA)

Is it time for your ribbon cutting?  Keep us in mind, we'd love to help you celebrate!