Truck:Big Show Circus Wagon

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, before the advent of radio and television, Americans sought other sources of entertainment, like the popular circus. By 1911 more than 30 circus companies toured the country, to the delight of children and adults alike. Often, schools and businesses shut down when circuses came to town to ensure that no one miss the big show. On the day the circus arrived, a grand parade preceded the performances. The parade, featuring decorated elephants, horseback riders, a lively circus band, and embellished wagons carrying exotic animals, served a dual purpose. It provided entertainment and also served as an advertisement, generating even more excitement for the show and assuring the townspeople that the spectacle would prove well worth the price of admission. Many toy manufacturers seized upon the popularity of the circus, creating toys, such as this circus wagon, inspired by the big show.