Jackson County
(Mo.) Historical Society
Portals to the Past by David W. Jackson
Priests of Pallas event was an extravanganza Popular Priests of Pallas Fall Festival Returns to Kansas City A once wildly
popular social event called “Priests of Pallas” returns to Kansas City’s
Union Station, October 21, 2006, thanks to the Westport and Jackson County
Historical Societies. And, you’re invited! The first
Priests of Pallas celebration was in 1887, and for the next 25 years, it was
the largest social event in the city. Like festivals in other cities
in America at the time (i.e., Mardi Gras) Priests of Pallas was a celebration
of the autumnal harvest. The jubilee was celebrated at a critical time for
Kansas City as farmers within a 200 mile radius of Kansas City converged on
the city’s merchants to market their harvest. Can you imagine the dividends
from sponsoring week-long parades with elaborate floats, wild parties, and
themed dances? Kansas
Citians sought invitations to the fete signed by the elusive host named,
“Jackson,” but the organizing committee were some of the most widely known
and respected citizens of the city. It was a highly anticipated event. And,
during the week of the event, daily life seemed to revolve around the
exciting activities. Schools even recessed so children could attend. Organizers
settled on a Greek mythological format where the Priests of Pallas festival
paid homage--at least symbolically--to Pallas Athena, the Greek goddess of
prosperity and wisdom, inventor of the flute, the ox-yoke, the plow, the
horse bridle and chariot. The ancient, other-worldly feel of the event rang
true to the “gay nineties” in which the early planners and participants were
living. Historical
photographs and documents collected by the Jackson County Historical Society
through donations over the last 60 years include a fair representation of
Priests of Pallas memorabilia that help to record this fascinating chapter in
our area’s history. Donations are always welcome. In addition to postcards
and full-color programs, each year a different artifact souvenir was created
and distributed: from candlesticks to vases, clocks to figurines. The
historical Priest of Pallas extravaganza included the coronation of a queen,
Pallas Athena. And, for most years of the event, a particular theme was
devised, like “American History (in 1890);” “Story of the Stars (1904);” and
a very futuristic theme, “A Trip to Mars (1909).” Now,
imagine elaborate floats built around these themes, constructed on the
flatbed chassis of a streetcar, and motored through downtown streets on
rails. Before 1902 when the trolley system was in place, flat wagons
disguised with ornamental floats were pulled by mules; dangerous torches were
the source of light. Using streetcar wires overhead, floats could be
electrified with Edison light bulbs; electricity at that time was quite a new
spectacle. The building at 2100 E. 10th St. (the only building left
at the corner of 10th and Garfield) is where Priests of Pallas floats were
outfitted. I understand the streetcars tracks are still in the floor. But, if the
parades were a draw, the masquerade ball eventually became the event’s piece
de resistance. Beginning at midnight, and limited to one thousand guests, the
ball was clearly the most exclusive social event of the area. After
nearly a quarter century, the decline of the celebration was hastened by the
development of a culture of leisure in the 1920s. Kansas Citians had a
variety of entertainment choices including amusement parks, movie theaters,
even the American Royal. Then, too, was the new fangled automobile and the
birth of the “road trip.” Truly, the
Priests of Pallas had a “shock and awe” effect, and this year’s rebirth of the
event into a one-night-only masked (optional) ball at Union Station should be
a stunning event with “dazzling artistry, entrancing subjects and succulent
victuals and libations.” Visit the event’s official website at www.popkc.org, and acquire exclusive tickets
while they last. David W. Jackson is archivist for the nonprofit,
membership supported Jackson County (Mo.) Historical Society's Archives and
Research Library at 112 W Lexington Ave, Suite 103, Independence, MO
64050. The Society collects and makes available local history documents and
photographs. For more information, or to donate historical materials, visit
www.jchs.org, call (816) 252-7454, or e-mail info@jchs.org. |
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