These cast members appear to depict British officers and sailors in the historical drama "Saga of the West." The pageant was performed July 20-22, 1939 as part of the celebration of Washington's 50th anniversary of statehood. They are possibly part of the depiction of Capt. George Vancouver's exploration of the Puget Sound area in 1792. The Saga would cover Washington's history from the earliest times to 1939, with 14 special events highlighted in scenes.
Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Historical pageants--Tacoma;
Cast members of the historical pageant "Saga of the West" pose in front of Stadium Bowl seating. The seats are only sparsely occupied for this preview performance, mostly by cast members; the opening night audience would number over 15,000. The pageant was performed July 20-22, 1939 as part of the celebration of Washington's 50th anniversary of statehood. The pageant was directed by William Marlatt of the John B. Rogers pageant company, was fully costumed and had a cast of 2,000. It also had horses, stage coaches, covered wagons, automobiles and a fire engine.
Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Historical pageants--Tacoma;
Go West young man seems to be the catch phrase for this group of cast members from the historical pageant "Saga of the West." They are all attired as frontiersmen and pose in front of a covered wagon. The pageant was performed July 20-22, 1939 as part of the celebration of Washington's 50th anniversary of statehood. The extravaganza boasted a cast of 2,000, as well as horses, stage coaches, covered wagons, Indians, cowboys, soldiers and sailors. The actors pantomimed, with all voices portrayed by seven narrators over microphones. Musical accompaniment was supplied by an orchestra, 200 voice choir and an organ.
Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Historical pageants--Tacoma;
During a July 19, 1939 rehearsal, a team of dogs pulled a sled and rider past the massive sets used for the historical pageant "Saga of the West" staged in the Stadium Bowl. The heavily bearded man "mushing" the dogs was Earl Hammond. Hammond stopped in Tacoma on his way to Alaska to take part in the Saga and parade. He was a professional "Santa Claus," performing in Christmas pageants back east. His dogs were white Siberian huskies and white marked black Siberians. The framework at the rear of the sets can be clearly seen and costumed cast members representing different time periods in Washington's history line up to watch the show. The pageant was performed July 20-22, 1939 as part of the celebration of Washington's 50th anniversary of statehood. (T. Times 7/20/1937, pg. 2)
Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Historical pageants--Tacoma;
As the West was settled, cities were formed. This scene is typical of that lifestyle. A woman reaches down to cluck the toddler in the wicker stroller under the chin while the proud parents look on. The pair of young men on the left appear to be planning some mischief. It was all taking place during the preview performance of "Saga of the West." The pageant was performed July 20-22, 1939 as part of the celebration of Washington's 50th anniversary of statehood. Three cast members wait for their cues in the stands with bored expressions on their faces. The young man in the checks is tentatively identified as Donald MacDonald and the woman pushing the pram as Barbara Bonnell. The extravaganza, with its cast of 2,000, was made up of 14 scenes. This appears to be from the Gay Nineties street scene.
Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Historical pageants--Tacoma;
Redskins in full body makeup represent the importance of the Native Americans in the West. These cast members took part in the recreation of an early Indian village in the historical drama "Saga of the West." The show opened with the area's earliest native settlers, known as the "Squallys." The pageant was performed July 20-22, 1939 as part of the celebration of Washington's 50th anniversary of statehood.
Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Historical pageants--Tacoma;
Searchlights from the Pacific Fleet light up the night sky over the Stadium Bowl during the historical pageant "Saga of the West." The pageant was performed July 20-22, 1939 as part of the celebration of Washington's 50th anniversary of statehood. Also in port for the Jubilee were six US battleships and 8,000 sailors and officers. Search light drills would be performed nightly at 10:15p.m.
Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Historical pageants--Tacoma; Searchlights--Tacoma;
Golden Jubilee Pageant "Saga of the West." Searchlights from the Battleships of the US Pacific Fleet pierce the night sky over scenery in Stadium Bowl. The stage for the extravaganza was over 200 feet in length. The fleet had arrived on July 20, 1939 with six battleships and 8,000 men. In port were the flagship Pennsylvania, as well as the California, New Mexico, Arizona, Idaho and Mississippi. Tours were conducted from 1-4 and searchlight displays each night at 10:15p.m.
Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Historical pageants--Tacoma; Searchlights--Tacoma;
Tacoma's Golden Jubilee celebration of Washington's statehood reached its climax at 8:45 p.m. on July 20, 1939 in the Stadium Bowl with the presentation of the theatrical extravaganza "Saga of the West." A cast of 2,000 depicted historic events from the previous fifty years of Washington's history. At 10:15 p.m. with search lights from the U.S Navy's Pacific fleet lighting up the sky, Queen Amy Lou Murray was carried in on her throne by a group of young men painted glistening gold and placed at the center of the field. The finale cast included princesses representing all of Washington's 39 counties, 100 beautiful women in long evening gowns and an honor guard of men in military uniforms. (T. Times 7/20/1939, pg. 1)
Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Historical pageants--Tacoma; Searchlights--Tacoma;
