Circuses unloaded near the Michigan Central depot and paraded up Main Street to performat the fairgrounds or on a farm at Packard and Stadium. Exotic animals passed by in fancy wagons, bands played, the calliope blared, and children screamed with delight.

Some summers Ann Arbor enjoyed as many as three circuses. Barnum and Bailey was the largest.Almost anything was an excuse for a parade holidays, new buildings, new fire equipment, visiting dignitaries, political candidates, and student celebrations of all kinds.