Findlay Market Opening Day Parade

Side A: Findlay Market is the heart of the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood and has been a gathering place for political, religious, and social events since opening in 1855. Inspired by the Cincinnati Reds World Championship in 1919, a group of fans –“rooters” – from Findlay Market organized a parade to celebrate the start of the team’s 1920 season. The parade became an annual event, with marching bands, horse-drawn “Tally-Ho” wagons and rooters processioning to Redland and later Crosley Field, where they presented gifts to Reds officials. (Continued on other side) Side B: (Continued from other side) The team’s move into Riverfront Stadium in 1970 injected new life into the 50 year-old tradition. A new route for Opening Day 1971 took the parade through downtown, past Fountain Square, and brought the procession more attention and participants. A century after the first parade, it has become a focus of Opening Day festivities and the day itself has become an unofficial city holiday.