Dennis Saul
In the Bronx of the early 1900s, the first warm days of late spring signaled the arrival of a cherished local tradition known as the “May Walk” or Anniversary Day. This was the annual Sunday School parade, a massive public procession and rally that brought together thousands of children from the borough’s protestant churches. While smaller parades took place in neighborhoods like Tremont, the main demonstration, a grand and festive affair, was centered in Claremont Park.
The park itself was transformed for the occasion. A large pavilion, serving as the day’s official reviewing stand and stage, was heavily draped in red, white, and blue bunting. This decorated structure was the focal point of the rally, where clergymen and civic leaders would later address the assembled crowd. The parade route was planned to move through the park’s rolling landscape, at times heading toward the old Zborowski mansion, a prominent landmark on the grounds.
The procession was a testament to communal organization. Each Sunday School marched as a distinct company, following a large, colorful banner proudly announcing its affiliation, such as the one for the “Tremont Presbyterian Sunday School.” Other banners were purely religious, bearing inscriptions like “I am the good shepherd.” The children, dressed in their Sunday best, waved small American flags, creating a sea of patriotic color. They were led by women teachers and supervised by men from their congregations who served as parade officials and marshals.
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Music was essential to the day’s energy. The sound of marching bands echoed through the park, but the rhythm was often kept by groups like a uniformed African American fife-and-drum corps. Their presence highlighted the broader community participation in what was a major civic event. Marching alongside the Sunday School students were boys from youth brigades, distinguished by their own special uniforms.
Spectators were an integral part of the event. Families and residents lined the paths of Claremont Park, watching as the long column of children marched past. Photographers with large box cameras on tripods could be seen documenting the spectacle. The atmosphere was one of joyful order, a public celebration of faith, community, and the promise of a new generation.
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