Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-05-01
CIRCUS COMES TOTOWN
AND TOWN FOLK MAKE
HOLIDAY TO GREET IT
School Children and Their
Teachers Join Civic Officials,
Business Men and Store
and Factory Employees
GREATEST SHOW EVER

A new municipal holiday was pro-
claimed--and observed--today, Circus Pa
rade Day. Among school pupils the OBJ
servance was so general that even the
teachers who could frame sufficient ex-
cuse found themselves seen and recog-
nized by their classes they stood In line
along Broad street this morning and re-
newed their youthful enthusiasm as the
spectacular procession passed before them.
Business in store, factory and office
along the route from the circus grounds,
at 18th street and Hunting Park avenue.
and on Broad street to the turning point
of the many-hued paraders at South
street, was at standstill during the half.
hour or more that the array of equestrians,
band wagons, chariots, animals and other
components of the greatest show on earth
was passing.
window lodges, fire escapes. roofs, were
coigns of vantage that were crowded to
danger-lmits by thrilled humanity. Auto
mobiles, parked in the middle of the street
held venturesome small boy spectators
whose cheers duled the blare of many
bands. Mayor Smith and other municipal
officials suspended problems OF civic inn
portance to gaze at the curling line OF
performers and chariots that carried them
back few years in spirit and revived the
dreams of Jumbo Park, and other places
of happy circus memory.
Down in Broad street the gazers from
upper perches beheld a sea of heads, not
one Of which was silent in its expressed
admiration and wonderment. Babies in
arms crowed in echo TO their parents
cheers Boy and girl cries of amazement
or exultation were constant. Every now
and then there would be break from
the curb to the centre of the street in
quest of closer view. These charges kept
the police on the alert and were promptly
repulsed. although good-naturedly.
To- foaN Of lpd h
out the ranks and the sidelines of the
great turnout. The clowns shouted duips
at the crowd and the hearers hurled back
equally witty reJoinders. The fair eques-
triennes, on their spotless white steeds.
Arabian, of course, smiled their prettiest
at an audience which smiled through its
envious glances The bands in chariot
and on horseback played their liveliest
strains TO an audience that beat time in
harmonious unison.
The very animals--the gigantic Babe"
who is celebrating her 1880 birthday as
a baby" elephant swung her trunk in
rhythmic cadence to the music of a negro
band just ahead of her. the savage lions
tigers and other beasts of the jungle, |
even the laughing hyena seemed to have
left behind them their native ferocity to
take part in the universal enjoyment
about them.
The small boy was In his element. He |
had a foretaste of the pleasures awaiting |
at the performance of the Barnum &
Bailey aggregation under the big tent |
which, while II did not safe the voracious |
appetite of juvenile America, provided a |
very generous appetizer and completed his |
determination, by hook or by crook, to be |
among those present at one of the per- |
formances during the current week Of the |
circus stay in town |
Fakers along the line of march reaped |
n harvest of coin in exchange for toy bal |
1t. afPff aNNA atI
essentials to proper and complete enjoy
ment of a circus parade And, over all,
old Sol looked down in all the warmth |
of a bright May-day and cast his most
golden glow on spangles, paint and brazen
instruments.
proclaimed as the best and greatest
ever the parade fulfilled the expectations
of hopeful youth. and the blase elder. to
whom clrcuses and their concomitants are
part of a very misty and distant past
found the mellowing Influence of todays
spectacle dlssipating the dimness and re-
moteness of years, and became again as
youthful and vociferous in his applause
as the small boy who quivered with ex-
citement and wonder beside him.
Today's procession left the circus
grounds at O'Clock and passed by way
of Hunting Park into Broad street. There
II heightened out between soldly massed
humanity to South street, where II turned |
and countermarched to Germantown ave-
nue., making It's return TO the starting |
point by the latter thoroughfare. More
than 100 persons, representing all fea-
lures. of the great exhibition, were in line ;
several hundred horses and herd of
elephants, not to mention a dozen camels
conveying the retinue in procession.
The costumes and trapplngs we're
gorgeous and from the leading band TO
the shrieking calliope in the rear there
was no pause in the splendor or brilliancy
that warranted the constant outburst
from the crowded frame which inclosed
the moving spectacle
Those persons whs found their appe-
tites for amusement unsatisfied by the
first repast afforded by the street parade
made their way to the vast tented city
on Hunting Park avenue Here they were
regaled by glimpses of the menagerie,
and especially It's kindergarten. This
peculiar department contains several
CLASSES of baby lions, camels giraffes,
kangaroos, tigers and elephants, which
create no end OF amusing interest by
their playful antics and are source
of real delight both to little folks and
their caretakers This feature OF the
Barnum 4 Bailey show this year is pro-
nounced second only TO the regiment OF
clowns which goes into action against
the enemies of merriment at each per-