Old Milwaukee Days Schlitz Circus Parade

I remember taking our daughters to the Schlitz Circus Parade many years in a row. The excitement started when the numerous circus wagons left Baraboo, Wisconsin by train, and were brought through city after city with circus lovers of all ages standing near the tracks and cheering them on. We would go to a small town north of Milwaukee and wait for them to pass. We admired their beauty and elegance and the fact that they’d withstood the test of time. There was a staging area near Lake Michigan, a few days before the Parade itself. We’d also head down there to see the wagons up-close – what great fun that was.

My mother-in-law worked for a small stock brokerage in downtown Milwaukee. The office was right on the parade route and the employees were allowed to have their family in to watch the parade from the windows. It was great because most people wanted to be right on the sidewalks while we were more than pleased to sit in the air conditioning, comfortable on chairs with a birds’ eye view! We did view the parade from the sidewalks a few times but the crowds were incredible. Who could blame them? It was quite an experience!

The Schlitz brewery was the sponsor of the Old Milwaukee Days Schlitz Circus parade and it ran from 1963 until 1973 (with the exception of one year when there was civil unrest in the city.) It was usually held on or near the 4^th of July.

I remember that we took our girls up to Baraboo on several occasions to see the wagons ‘first hand’ and enjoy a cozy group of circus acts. You would sit on bleachers in a tent, with only a small group of fans. It was not crowded and there was never a bad seat in the house. The Baraboo Circus World Museum is still up there, ready for anyone into circuses to enjoy!

After Schlitz no longer sponsored the Parade, it was not a regularly scheduled event. It is, however, being held this year on Sunday, July 12^th. The funding came from the Baraboo Circus Museum and since it costs $1.5 million, it is unlikely that we’ll see it again, at least not for several years.

One of my blogs covered circus collectibles, highlighting the life of May Wirth. You might want to check it out. For all those who collect circus memorabilia, historical pieces, clowns or such, it is a real treat. Hope you can make it. The next best thing would be to gather the family and head up to Baraboo for a fun-filled day.