Why We Love Parades

Why do millions of people attend the victory parades of winning sports teams, travel across the world to attend a carnival, march and chant for social justice, cheer homecoming soldiers, or watch enraptured as a princess or celebrity rides in a stately coach to their wedding? The author answers these questions and more in this unique examination of the great parades and processions of history.

Part chronology, part social history, this book outlines why parades are more than the simplistic, ephemeral entertainment we sometimes assume them to be, as people are often deeply affected by regalia, costumes and uniforms, dances and floats. The book traces the fascinating origins and development of carnival parades, religious processions, protest marches, victory parades, circus parades, parade floats, ship sail-pasts and aerial fly-pasts.

A writer and award-winning special event producer based in Vancouver, Canada, Doug Matthews is the author of five textbooks on how to create special events full of emotion.

Doug Matthews
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 233
Bibliographic Info: 72 photos (33 in color), notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2023
pISBN: 978-1-4766-8879-4
eISBN: 978-1-4766-4706-7
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments viii
Preface 1
Introduction: Forming Up 3
Part I—Crafting the Spectacle
One. The Power of Performance 16
Two. Sacred Space and Monumental Architecture 27
Three. Looking the Part 40
Four. The Symbolism of Floats 54
Five. Mesmerizing Marching 68
Between pages 82 and 83 are 16 plates containing 32 color images
Part II—Realizing the Spectacle
Six. It Started with Gods 84
Seven. Days of Our Lives 97
Eight. The Hero’s Journey 111
Nine. Marching for Change 125
Ten. The Lure of Carnival 138
Eleven. Onto the Water and Into the Air 149
Twelve. The Modern Parade 162
Chapter Notes 177
Bibliography 187
Index 203