Buffalo Bill's Wild West Parade 1902

April 1, 1901 or July 2, 1902.
Mutoscope & Biograph Co.

In 1883 William Frederick ''Buffalo Bill'' Cody founded ''Buffalo Bill's Wild West.'' This was a circus-like spectacle that toured the United States annually. There were many lesser emulations of "Wild West" shows but Buffalo Bill was the man. Over the years, the show changed names and was always adding attractions. In 1889, Buffalo Bill successfully toured Europe were he was acclaimed in France.
This film shows Buffalo Bill's Wild West* parading down Fifth Avenue promoting the show with military men, cowboys, Indians, Turks, Gauchos, Arabs, Mongols, and Cossacks all participating in the parade, each sporting the garb of his native land and Buffalo Bill Cody himself at 0:45 greeting spectators and admirers just at the top of the screen.
The tail end of the line (as with all parades at this time) would have been followed by spectators joining the march, the route would lead them to the show grounds or arena. Other parades would lead to parks and open grounds for holiday celebrations. Kids would often march and run freely along side virtually all parades.†
But for all of the public street festivities, visiting circus parades were the undisputed Kings of street entertainment with a few reaching nearly a mile in length. -TR

Starting with the British Evacuation in 1783, there has always been a place for street celebrations and observances in New York. Major points of congregation include the Battery, City Hall Park, Tompkins Square, Washington Square, Union Square, Herald Square, Madison Square, Central Park.

* The word ''show'' was not in the title.
† This participation was not limited to parades. Apparently the fire wagons had their share of young daredevil admirers: http://tinyurl.com/89ml3bu

Recommended reading:
Day of Jubilee / The Great Age of Public Celebrations in New York, 1788-1909 - Brooks McNamara

01/01/12 - 3,567

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Entertainment

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• parade
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• 1902
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[1989iw]

if we all had the power to go back in time, i would go see his wild west show, and meet him face to face

[BoldReiver]

Great! And you can see Buffalo Bill himself tip his hat to the crowd at 0:45