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Description
Antique Postcard
Circa 1909
Kansas City, Missouri

One of a set of parade float postcards depicting fantastic themes.
This one, titled "MARS" depicts the Roman god of war atop a white horse riding on a egg-shaped float decorated in red buntings and flowers.

The Priests of Pallas Parade was KC's answer to Mardi Gras. It consisted of a public parade and an invitation-only debutante ball (the Priests of Pallas Ball), organized by a secret society of prominent Kansas citizens that called itself the Priests of Pallas.

The first Priests of Pallas parade was held on October 13, 1887.  President Grover Cleveland and his First Lady, Frances, were on hand to witness the spectacle that would begin after nightfall. A crowd waited at the gates of the so-called "Priests' Den," a warehouse where all of the horse-drawn floats were staged. As the doors swung open, fireworks lit the path of mounted and armored guards, the robed Priests of Pallas, and a float bearing an elaborately-costumed performer dressed as Pallas (Athena)

Every subsequent October, the Priests of Pallas organizers worked hard to outdo the previous year's festivities. The exact details of each parade are unclear, but the festival usually consisted of a three day event made up of three parades and a ball for those lucky enough to receive an invitation. The first night's parade consisted of a military march and a procession of the men of the Flambeau Club. These businessmen launched Roman candles over the crowds that lined the streets. On the second night, members of the city's labor unions marched with the accompaniment of bands. On the third night, the Grecian-themed parade was held. The ball commenced after the goddess had received her laurels on the night of the third parade.

To keep the entertainment fresh year after year, the theme of the parade changed. Some of these themes included Grecian Myths, Parade of Nations, American History, Romance of the Ages, Prose and Poetry, Mother Goose, and even A Trip to Mars.

#oldpostcard #postcardstock #deltiology #vintagestock #postcards
Vintage item from my post card and ephemera collections, free stock for yours.
Use however you like. Enjoy!
My Gallery yesterdays-paper.deviantart.co…



#deltiology - The collection and study of postcards.
Enjoy history? Explore it one image at a time- it's a fun hobby

Description
Antique Postcard
Circa 1909
Kansas City, Missouri

One of a set of parade float postcards depicting fantastic themes.
This one, titled "MARS" depicts the Roman god of war atop a white horse riding on a egg-shaped float decorated in red buntings and flowers.

The Priests of Pallas Parade was KC's answer to Mardi Gras. It consisted of a public parade and an invitation-only debutante ball (the Priests of Pallas Ball), organized by a secret society of prominent Kansas citizens that called itself the Priests of Pallas.

The first Priests of Pallas parade was held on October 13, 1887.  President Grover Cleveland and his First Lady, Frances, were on hand to witness the spectacle that would begin after nightfall. A crowd waited at the gates of the so-called "Priests' Den," a warehouse where all of the horse-drawn floats were staged. As the doors swung open, fireworks lit the path of mounted and armored guards, the robed Priests of Pallas, and a float bearing an elaborately-costumed performer dressed as Pallas (Athena)

Every subsequent October, the Priests of Pallas organizers worked hard to outdo the previous year's festivities. The exact details of each parade are unclear, but the festival usually consisted of a three day event made up of three parades and a ball for those lucky enough to receive an invitation. The first night's parade consisted of a military march and a procession of the men of the Flambeau Club. These businessmen launched Roman candles over the crowds that lined the streets. On the second night, members of the city's labor unions marched with the accompaniment of bands. On the third night, the Grecian-themed parade was held. The ball commenced after the goddess had received her laurels on the night of the third parade.

To keep the entertainment fresh year after year, the theme of the parade changed. Some of these themes included Grecian Myths, Parade of Nations, American History, Romance of the Ages, Prose and Poetry, Mother Goose, and even A Trip to Mars.

#oldpostcard #postcardstock #deltiology #vintagestock #postcards
Vintage item from my post card and ephemera collections, free stock for yours.
Use however you like. Enjoy!
My Gallery yesterdays-paper.deviantart.co…



#deltiology - The collection and study of postcards.
Enjoy history? Explore it one image at a time- it's a fun hobby