Jackson County (Mo.) Historical Society
Portals
to the Past by David W. Jackson
Priests of Pallas event was an extravaganza 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. |
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