The Circus Comes to Town
Despite a drenching rain, Campbell Brothers Circus brings a spectacle of animals and acrobats to Walla Walla.
Campbell Brothers circus came in from The Dalles this morning, arriving about 8 o'clock. More or less rains prevailed all forenoon, and as their circus is an immense and cumbersome affair, it was afternoon before the parade was pulled off. Notwithstanding the sloppy condition underfoot and the drizzling overhead the streets were well lined with people to see the pageant. The parade was quite long and interesting with bands, equestrians, cages, animals, clowns and the usual glitter and dazzle seen in big aggregation parades, winding up with the redoubtable calliope and stentorian announcements of the program of the day. Campbell Brothers have a large concern, carrying their own special train of flats, property cars, palace coaches, etc. Their tents are spread on the old circus grounds west of the R. N. depot, and cover fully ten acres.
“The usual glitter and dazzle seen in big aggregation parades.”
Traveling circuses were major cultural events in small cities like early 20th-century Walla Walla, providing a rare link to the global world of entertainment before the dominance of film.
From readers
No comments yet. If you know something about this story — a correction, a family memory, a source — it belongs here.