Historical Parades in Warrensburg, Missouri — Chronological Order
1887 Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Warrensburg, Laying of the Cornerstone and parade
1897 — Ringling Bros. Circus Parade
The Ringling Bros. circus arrived in Warrensburg, drawing large crowds to watch its elaborate street parade featuring elephants, camels, horses, numerous bands, miniature tableau wagons, and other attractions.
Immense Crowds Witness the Arrival of the Show, Enjoy the Magnificent Parade and Go to the Show This Afternoon.
Ringling Brothers’ big circus came to town this morning. People expected to see a mammoth institution. The preliminary reputation of the show had prepared them for that. But in their wildest range of expectations they never looked for anything so vast, so comprehensive and so infinitely superior as the exhibition has proven to be. The five trains used to transport the huge institution were somewhat late in arriving, owing to the long run from Fort Scott, but in the forenoon they were at the several sections were unloaded and great vans, cages, dens and tabernacles were hurried away to the exhibition grounds.
A crowd of interested people watched the slow moving unloaded, and the quiet methodical manner in which the work was done was the subject of general comment. Hardly a word was spoken by the employes of the show, and the interest was made unusually heard around circus trains were notable for their absence.
The country people began to arrive early. Before 8 o’clock the streets began to assume the appearance of a holiday, and by 9 o’clock they were well nigh impassable. The jerk of rig seemed to have been utilized by the farmers, and the buckboard, the rattletare kell of the “good old times” and the new and up-to-date falling-top buggy came rolling into town in merry good-fellowship and as the wagons and “covered the guards” with people. Folks looked as though they had come to town for a good time, and there is no doubt that they had it.
It was after eleven o’clock when the parade, the first big event of the day, reached the down-town section. The crowds had waited for it with good natured expectation. The beauty of Ringling Bros.’ street display had long been heralded, and the crowd expected to see something altogether out of the common. The display itself, however, exceeded all expectations. Never was Warrensburg seen anything to compare with it. It was so far superior to anything of the kind ever seen by any other circus, as to constitute a distinct departure in circus parades. The usual circus procession comprises a conventional number of cages, a band or two, a few horses with gaudily-costumed riders, and perhaps, half-a-dozen elephants.
No one who has seen Ringling Bros.’ parade this morning could say that it was conventional. In fact, it was different from anything the public had ever seen before. Instead of the stereotyped arrangements of the cages usual with other shows that have exhibited here in the past, the parade was divided into a number of sections, each of which was a wonderfully unique and complete display. Perhaps one of the most striking of these sections was that devoted to a representation of an ascent of English military in the Indian Empire. The great elephants, actually drawing huge canons, the perfectly equipped soldiery and beautiful ornamentation gave to this section a particular brilliance that caught all eyes and elicited boundless admiration. The carved carriages, the beautifully towering camels and dromedaries and dark-skinned Bedouins, also attracted a great deal of attention. The little folks were enthusiastically delighted with the children’s parade, an entire section devoted to tiny cages and gorgeous miniature tabernacles, representing Mother Goose melodies and other musical tales dear to the heart of childhood. A beautiful little tableau, representing a group of the funniest of funny Brownies, kept the youngsters in an uproar.
The parade was especially notable for the large number of bands and the musical evolutions. One of the bands, mounted upon pure white horses and handsomely costumed in the uniform of the Prussian army, made a distinct hit. A Clown Band, organized as a tableaus car, exhibited the difference between international playing discords in a manner that kept the crowds along the line in a constant ripple of laughter. A magnificent chime of bells and a great golden college also contributed to the musical features of the street carnival.
The parade was nearly two miles in length and created more enthusiasm than any circus procession ever seen here. It was in fact an index to the high character of the show, and the machinery preparatory to the inauguration performance to be given this afternoon. A notable thing about the performance is the fact that it is “exactly like the bills.”
What the management advertises the people see in the show. This is such an unusual thing that it deserves more than passing mention. It is by such methods that Ringling Brothers have attained their enviable reputation as the greatest showmen in the world.
The performance was given in three rings, on two stages in mid-air and upon a huge quarter-mile hippodrome track, and in scope, completeness and novelty, surpasses anything ever presented heretofore by the most ambitious circus-designer. From the gorgeous exterior ornament until the last exciting four-horse chariot race in the hippodrome, there is not a dull moment in the performance. The riders are superb and numerous; the acrobats stamp themselves as artists of unapproachable ability, and the Lockhart elephants at which so much has been said and written appear to be superior to any elephant act ever given here or elsewhere. Every promise made for the show is fulfilled, and Ringling Bros. will have a warm place in the hearts of innumerable people of this thriving Missouri city.
The final performance of the show will be given tonight. The management promises that it will be just as complete as that given this afternoon. This great show never cuts its night performances, and circus days will close, as it began, in a blaze of splendor.
1897 — Joint Parade of the Blue and Gray
Date announced: Tuesday, September 2, 1897 The joint parade of Union and Confederate veterans was scheduled to form on Tyler Avenue, south of the Normal grounds, at 1 p.m. Capt. John Bridgewater and N. H. Fulkerson, Esq., served as grand marshals. The event encouraged veterans from both sides to reunite and renew old friendships.
1911 — 101 Ranch Real Wild West Show The Miller Brothers' 101 Ranch Real Wild West Show was expected to arrive by Missouri Pacific Railroad on Sunday morning. Wagons and livestock were to be unloaded quietly, with the procession traveling to the showgrounds at Lowe's pasture.
1928 — Elks Lodge Flag Day Parade The annual Flag Day parade took place on Thursday evening at 7 p.m., departing from the Elks Club rooms on West Culton Street. Participants included the Elks Lodge, National Guard, Boy Scouts, a band, and the American Legion color guard.
Route: West on Culton Street to Washington Avenue, south to Pine Street, east to Holden Street, north to Gay Street, east to Miller Street, north to Culton Street, and west back to the Elks Club.
1934 — Standard Oil “Live Power” Parade
Date: Friday, August 3, 1934 (reported in the August 7 issue of The Star-Journal) A large crowd gathered to watch the Standard Oil “Live Power” parade. Giant animal replicas mounted on trucks moved their eyes, tails, and ears, and one even simulated smoke coming from its nostrils. Sound trucks accompanied the procession.
1936 — Christmas Parades for many years
A Christmas parade was recorded for this year. Further details were not provided in the notes.
1940 — Johnson County Halloween Torch Parade
Date: Halloween evening, October 31, 1940, at 7:30 p.m. The parade featured 144 lighted torches held by National Guardsmen, college students, and Boy Scouts positioned along Holden and Pine streets. The Laboratory School band led the procession, followed by Miss Warrensburg riding in an open car. Prizes for various contests were to be awarded following the parade.
1947 “Good Neighbor Night”, sponsored by the Johnson County students at the College for all residents of the county and all College students, will begin at 6 o’clock tomorrow evening with a motorized parade of students and businessmen. All merchants and businessmen with delivery trucks or other vehicles advertising their stores are invited to join the parade. The group will travel through the town announcing events of “Good Neighbor Night” and extending an invitation to all residents to participate in the open house, radio quiz program, and the party which follows.
1952 — Homecoming Parade
Date: Saturday, October 18, 1952, at 2:30 p.m. (Homecoming date inferred; verify against the original newspaper.)
The parade began at Yeater Hall and followed this route:
• North on Holden Street to West Pine Street.
• West on West Pine to Washington Avenue.
• North on Washington to West Market Street.
• East on West Market to Holden Street.
• South on Holden to East Pine Street.
• East on East Pine to College Avenue.
• South on College to South Street.
• East on South to Maguire Street.
• South on Maguire to Clark Avenue, where the parade disbanded.
A football game was scheduled for 8 p.m.
1955 — Centennial Parade July 4th Four parades were held during the centennial weekend. Additional details and routes were not provided in the notes.
1957 Parade, Two Auctions And Shows by Smiley Burnette Friday Ends Big Sellebrity Sale
Ira E. Davis, chairman of the Retail Promotion committee of the Chamber of Commerce, announced Wednesday that plans are complete for the Big Sellebration Sale Day which takes place Friday of this week. Fifty-two local merchants are participating in this promotion program by giving Fun auction money with every sale of merchandise.
These merchants are also donating merchandise which will be auctioned at 11:15 a. m. and at 2:00 p. m. Friday on the east side of the Court House Square. In case of bad weather, the shows and the auctions will take place at the old Sunrise Feed Store on the corner of Holden and Railroad streets.
Smiley Burnette, famous star of radio, television and movies, will give two free performances; one at 11:00 a. m., and the other at 1:00 p. m.
Smiley Burnette has a long career as a radio comic and cowboy comedian. He has a record of putting on a top notch performance wherever he appears. He has promised to sign autographs for as many who want them.
Merchandise of all types have been donated for the auctions, including table lamps, furniture, radio, gift certificates, jewelry, clothing, leather goods, toasters, children's toys, bags of groceries and even luncheon tickets which have been given by some of the local restaurants. Merchandise is on display at the old Sunrise Feed Store on the corner of Holden and Railroad Streets.
The day's activities will begin with a parade at 10:00 a. m. The parade will form on East and West North streets. It will travel south on Holden street to West Pine street, west on Pine street to Washington avenue, north to West Market street, and east to the court house square.
1958 — Dedication of the Old Drum Statue
The dedication parade for the Old Drum statue in downtown Warrensburg followed this route:
• Began on Grover Street.
• Proceeded north on College Avenue.
• Turned west toward Holden Street.
• Continued south on Holden to Pine Street.
• Proceeded west to Washington Street.
1958 — Parade Announced by Paul Hines
The parade route, announced by Paul Hines, chairman of the Student Government Association special activities committee, was as follows:
• East on Clark Street to Maguire Street.
• North on Maguire past the reviewing stand in front of the Industrial Arts Building.
• West on Broad Street to College Avenue.
• North on College Avenue to Gay Street.
• East to Holden Street.
• South on Holden to West Pine Street.
• West on West Pine to Washington Street, where the units disbanded.
2015? Holiday lights parade Dwayne Jackson great tradition
UCM Named Official World Record Holder for Largest Ridden Parade of Mules
By Jeff Murphy, December 8, 2021
WARRENSBURG, MO – After a thorough review of video, photographs and other supporting materials, GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ has confirmed that the University of Central Missouri now officially holds the title for the largest ridden parade of mules. This record-setting achievement was reached with the help of 50 mules and their riders during UCM’s Homecoming parade Saturday, Oct. 23, in Warrensburg, Missouri.
“We are beyond thrilled to be named as the record holder for the largest ridden parade of mules,” said Jackie Jackson, associate vice president for the UCM Alumni Foundation, who helped organize the event.
UCM was the first organization to attempt this particular record. The university was founded in 1871 and has claimed the mule as its official mascot since 1922. The record attempt coincides with the university’s 150th anniversary celebration.
“When we first announced that we were going to try to do this in UCM’s 150th year, the number one question we were asked was ‘Why?’ and the answer is if anyone were to set a record for a parade of mules, it should be UCM at the Homecoming parade,” Jackson said. “This accomplishment is demonstrative of who we are as a university – a proud ‘Mule Strong’ institution that thrives with the community’s involvement and support.”
Before giving its official confirmation of this accomplishment, GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ engaged in a thorough review process that required photo and video evidence, along with paperwork needed to validate the eligibility of all mules and riders that participated in the parade. The participants came from many parts of the state to engage in the record-setting attempt, and included the university’s own mule mascots, Mancow (Tammy) and Molly, housed at the university’s Prussing Farm.
Jackson worked with Tiffany Cochran, senior director of events and alumni engagement, to get mule owners, including alumni, involved in the event. There was a good deal of interest even among mule owners with no connection to the university, as the mule is also Missouri’s state animal, and the state is celebrating its bicentennial this year.
“There are a lot of people who have mule pride,” Cochran said. “When we started to make calls to get people to come out to the world record [attempt], the responses came flooding in. Everybody wanted to be involved.”
Beth Rutt, director of Student Activities, also worked with her office staff and students to help make this attempt possible. Student Activities has been in charge of the Homecoming parade for 50 years, and Rutt said they were particularly excited to be part of this historic effort.
“There were times my staff was apprehensive as to what we were going to do with 50 mules in the parade, but as the day got closer the enthusiasm only grew,” Rutt said. “It was amazing seeing the riders and their mules coming over the top of the hill bringing up the end of the parade.”
Rutt added that her office was pleased to be part of the “concept, idea and then the reality of hard work. It’s a great example of collaboration between numerous areas and individuals.”
While the university is sharing information about GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ confirmation, the UCM Alumni Foundation is working with other university offices to consider opportunities to celebrate the record publicly, activities that will transpire after the new year. More information about these activities will be announced as plans are finalized.
No comments:
Post a Comment