"Lorain Fiesta Days" – Sept. 1963

Ad from the Sept. 9, 1963 Lorain Journal

One of the most ambitious and creative efforts to drum up interest in Downtown Lorain took place sixty years ago this month: Lorain Fiesta Days.

As described in an article in the September 11, 1963 Journal, Lorain Fiesta Days consisted of five days of circus performances and carnival rides on Broadway. The Paul A. Miller Circus would present a free show four times a day on an elevated stage erected between 5th and 6th Street.

The gimmick was to encourage shoppers to "Stop At The Store With The Sign On The Door." Stores with the special circus sign gave away free discount tickets with each $1 purchase, good for 10 cents off any of the twenty big rides.

A series of promotional ads appearing in the paper drummed up enthusiasm for the big event. This ad appeared on Sept. 11, 1963.

And here's what it looked like on Broadway on the opening day, Sept. 17, 1963.

On Sept. 18th, the Journal ran this ad, as well as a night shot of the festivities on Broadway.

On that same day, the Journal described the action. "Lorain Fiesta Days" got under way Tuesday night with four blocks of funmaking equipment set up on Broadway between 4th St. and 8th St.," it noted.

"With the advantage of good autumn weather, large crowds will be turning out for the Paul A. Miller Circus attractions.

"A merry-go-round and whirl-a-rama rides gave Broadway a spectacular and unaccustomed appearance.

"Miller, who has taken his show to 300 American communities, expects 100,000 to turn out to the fiesta before it closes Saturday night.

"Seventy-four merchants are participating in the event, representing 98 per cent of those doing business in the area.

"They are contributing both directly with cash contributions toward the cost of the show, and indirectly with a 10-cent discount on a carnival ride for each $1 purchase."

One of the memorable aspects of the appearance of the Paul A. Miller Circus was a side contest, in which children (aged 12 years of age or under) were encouraged to write to the Journal and explain "Why I Would Like To Have A Circus In My Backyard."

Regular readers of this blog might remember that Bill Nahm was the local winner. This blog post featured some great photos and the article announcing him as winning the 'backyard circus.'