Circus Wagon

The Great Circus Parade was first held in Milwaukee in 1963, and it has been a frequent, but sporadic, visitor to Milwaukee ever since. Always subject to funding issues, the parade is once again being held in Milwaukee this Sunday -July 12, 2009.

Prior to the parade, the circus wagons are on display at Veterans Park right on the lakefront in Milwaukee. While there’s also a midway and a circus tent, the star attractions are the wagons.

The colors, the designs, the styling of the wagons – all contribute to a fanciful visit to the past when circuses and circus parades were more common.

Circus Wagon Wheel

If you get a chance to visit the wagons before the parade, I recommend getting to the park early, before large crowds obscure the wagons. I took these pictures in the early morning light (6:30 am), but you don’t need to get there that early. The midway opens at 10:00, so the best opportunities to see the wagons without the crowds is before that.

And if you’re taking pictures, look at the detail in the wagons. This picture is a close up of one of the wagon wheels – even the wheels are colorful and contain great detail.

Notice the figures and paintings on the sides of the wagons, too – each one is unique, and many offer a glimpse into past cultural differences from today.

With funding for the parade difficult to come by, this may be the last year for the parade for some time to come. Don’t miss the opportunity to see a unique part of the past here in Milwaukee.

You can see additional photos of the circus wagons by clicking here.