The 19th century melodrama "United by Love" was being presented on August 23, 1938, on a Works Progress Administration (WPA) travelling stage to an appreciative outdoor audience in South Park. The "Theater on Wheels," a joint enterprise of the WPA and the Metropolitan Parks Board, had presented five complete shows a week since June 13th, playing six times around a circuit of ten Tacoma parks and playgrounds. Members of the Asbury Methodist Church WPA-coached drama club on stage were, left to right, Ruth Bristow, Milo Ernst, Pat O'Conner, Georgia "George" Kisor and Cyril Hansen. More than 100 performers presented shows featuring music by the 6-piece professional WPA orchestra, singing, dancing, dramatic sketches and sound movies. They played to more than 20,000 appreciative theater goers in June and July with August audiences slightly higher. Their season ended on August 31st, retiring the only travelling theater on the Pacific Coast for the year. (T. Times 8/24/1938, pg. 16)

Melodramas; Open-air theatrical productions; Depressions--1929; Bristow, Ruth; Ernst, Milo; O'Conner, Pat; Hansen, Cyril; Asbury United Methodist Church (Tacoma) --People;

Play at St. Leo's School. Photograph, ordered by Mr. Christian, was taken on April 2, 1940. Proscenium arch has advertising from local businesses on it. (filed with Argentum)

St. Leo's Parochial School (Tacoma); Church schools--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Men's group photo of orchestra.

Log rolling competition in Grandstand.

Log rolling demonstration in Grandstand, two men rolling one log.

Log rolling demonstration in Grandstand, two men rolling one log.

Logging demonstration at the Fair.

Fair president W. A. Linklater ,holding microphone, stands with a smiling log-rolling contestant who is holding a trophy cup on grandstand platform.

Two men log rolling in Grandstand exhibition.

Chipping contest- part of logging exhibition.

Woman performing rope trick. On back: Rose Wall.

The Barrel Racing event at the Washington State Fair's Puyallup Pro Rodeo.

A KMPS banner is in view in front of the bleachers during the Professional Bull Riders competition held at the Washington State Fair & Events Center July 14 and 15, 2007.

This cowboy is doing his best to stay on the bull at the Professional Bull Riders competition held at the Washington State Fair & Events Center July 14 and 15, 2007.

An overhead view of the Northwest Concert Center converted to a bullriding arena during the Professional Bull Riders competition held at the Washington State Fair & Events Center July 14 and 15, 2007.

Bullfighters enjoying a brief break at the Professional Bullriders Rodeo held at the Washington State Fair & Events Center July 14 and 15, 2007.

The Western Washington Toyota Dealers truck display at the Professional Bullriders Rodeo held at the Washington State Fair & Events Center July 14 and 15, 2007.

This cowboy is preparing to get on the bull that will take him out of the chute and into the arena at the Professional Bull Riders competition held at the Washington State Fair & Events Center July 14 and 15, 2007.

It's a day of fun at the Professional Bull Riders competition held at the Washington State Fair & Events Center July 14 and 15, 2007.

Public attending first concert of season. Gathering in lobby. Woman writing on pad of paper.

Concerts--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Public attending first concert of season.

Concerts--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Inside the "Arena of Death" at the 1937 Puyallup Fair. The stunt rider brings his second leg up- soon he will be riding with both legs on the handlebars.

Daredevils; Stunt performers; Midways--Puyallup--1930-1940; Motorcycles--1930-1940; Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Fairs--Puyallup--1930-1940;

Minstrels on stage. On February 9, 1928, local poultry co-ops entertained its members with a minstrel show at American Lake. Entitled "Good Will Minstrels," most of the group wore the traditional blackened faces and colorful clothing. Entertainers were equipped with guitars, mandolins, while the non-costumed band supplied the brass. Identified on stage were President C.C. Davis and Secretary McDrum of the American Lake Poultry Local (on left) and Mrs. E.W. Rau, secretary, and President A.F. Visell of the Parkland Poultry Local (on far right). G64.1-049

Minstrel shows--Tacoma--1920-1930; Musical revues & comedies--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The Saddle Bronc event at the Washington State Fair's PRCA Pro Rodeo.

The Bull Riding event at the Washington State Fair's Puyallup Pro Rodeo.

These cowboys are waiting to see if he can stay on the bull at the Professional Bull Riders competition held at the Washington State Fair & Events Center July 14 and 15, 2007.

The bull may have won this round of the Professional Bull Riders competition held at the Washington State Fair & Events Center July 14 and 15, 2007.

The bulls worked hard to throw the cowboys riding them during the Professional Bull Riders competition held at the Washington State Fair & Events Center July 14 and 15, 2007.

Washington State Fair Board of Directors member Gary Gonter is chatting with one of many cowboys who entered in the Professional Bull Riders competition held at the Washington State Fair & Events Center July 14 and 15, 2007.

The bulls worked hard to throw the cowboys riding them, and often suceeded during the Professional Bull Riders competition held at the Washington State Fair & Events Center July 14 and 15, 2007.