It promised to be an event of a spectacular nature seldom before seen in Australia. Ten days of pageantry and carnival at Parramatta from 27 October to 5 November 1938 to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the second oldest settlement in Australia.
A management committee made up of leading figures from the district was formed a year before the event to begin the final preparations for an event that promised to produce a “galaxy of entertainment and historic features”. It was an impressive array of entertainment which included a, Military Tattoo, Police Carnival, Chinese Fireworks Display, Dancing Under the Stars, Period Costume Garden Party, Venetian Carnival on the River, Swimming Fetes, Sports Gymkhana, Orange Festival, Street Parades, Massed Band Concerts, Grand Prix, and a Wild West Rodeo. There was even a Coronation Ball in which the Queen of Parramatta would be crowned.
Poster publicising the Anniversary Celebrations PRS16/001 Parramatta Council Archives
On Friday 27 October, 1938, Mayor Irwin presided over the official opening ceremony for the sesquicentennial celebrations with the crowning moment being the proclamation of Parramatta as a City. On Saturday over 200,000 people lined the streets of Parramatta to witness the highlight of the celebrations, the Pageant of Progress Parade through the city. The parade, led by 18 mounted troopers, travelled down Church Street starting from Boundary Street to Ross Street. They were followed by nearly 300 entries made up of historical floats, horse drawn vehicles, marching bands, industry, business and government floats all playing a part in telling the story of the development of Parramatta. Floats of every description including “The Cavalcade of the Golden Fleece” depicting Australia’s first sheep farm, the Lennox Bridge, Granville Swimming Pool, Parramatta Hairdressers Association, and Alsatian dogs. No organisation or landmark from the area seemed to be missing from the parade.
Advertisement for the 150th Anniversary PRS16/016Parramatta Council Archives
The parade ended at Parramatta Park where spectators were treated to a carnival which included a motor cycle polo match, a circus and vaudeville acts. The evening featured a massive Chinese fireworks display, dancing in the streets and a donkey polo match at Cumberland oval.
The Military Tattoo provided a spectacular display that thrilled the 6000 strong crowd with its recreation of the battle of Vinegar Hill, motor cycle acrobatics by the army signallers, and the air bombing of a mechanised column supported by the scream of air raid sirens.
First Queen of Parramatta, Winifred Perkins Parramatta Heritage Centre LSOP00312
On the Tuesday night Miss Winifred Perkins, who bore a strong resemblance to Queen Elizabeth, was crowned the first Queen of Parramatta. The occasion was held at The Rivoli and featured all the pomp and ceremony, including trumpeters in white satin knee breeches and plumed hats, that is usually associated with coronations.
The celebrations appeared to be an outstanding success, for which Parramatta took great pride, and still today the event is remembered as the ocassion Parramatta became a City.
Peter Arfanis, Archivist, Parramatta City Council, Heritage Centre. 2013
References
Parramatta Sesquicentennial Celebrations. PRS16. Parramatta Council Archives
Imposing Pageant of Progress Through the City. (1938, November 2). The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate p. 14.
Parramatta Celebrates its Foundation (1938, October 31). The Sydney Morning Herald, p. 12.