From the Archives revealed: 'Lafayette Day' parade for Purdue football game

Photo from Purdue Libraries Archives and Special Collections Download image

The Oct. 20, 1923, football game was a special event not just for Purdue but for the whole Lafayette community thanks to a "Lafayette Day" theme. At 12:30 p.m., a crowd of about 1,000 people gathered at Sixth and Columbia streets in downtown Lafayette to form one of the largest parades in the city's history. Led by the Purdue Military Band, they marched over the bridge, up the hill, and across campus to Stuart Field and a specially reserved seating area for parade participants. This photograph captured the parade moving up the hill on State Street in West Lafayette near the intersection of River Road. 

In addition to a ticket for the game, everyone in the parade received a gold-colored balloon emblazoned with the words "Let’s Go, Purdue!" Organizers hoped to create a new annual tradition to encourage Boilermaker spirit on both sides of the river.

On the field, Purdue and Wabash were evenly matched and ended the game with a 7-7 tie. More about the parade is available on the Purdue Libraries blog.

The "From the Archives" photo series from Purdue Today and Purdue Libraries Archives and Special Collections will continue to share a glimpse at Purdue’s past throughout the year. More from the series can be found on the Purdue Libraries blog.