Page 20 - June July MFM 2024

A. J. and the Parade
From the Editor

The Vigilante Day Parade

Who was A.J. Roberts? was canceled for the fi rst time due to the
What does the Vigilante Day Parade consist of, United States’ involvement in World War II.
and why has it been happening for a hundred The parade would be put on hold until 1946
years? in a nationwide eff ort to conserve resources.
During Vigilante Day in 1950, President Harry
Having witnessed numerous Vigilante Day S. Truman visited the area and evaluated
Parades and having my son, nephew, nieces, various fl oats. He and his group were given
and friends’ children take part, I never thought the chance to review ten fl oats. The Vigilante
about the parade’s beginning. In fact, for Day Parade was again canceled in 2020 due to
several years, I thought it was just a way to the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2020, an unoffi cial
let High School students blow off steam. But Vigilante Cruise took place, where students
the truth about the parade’s origins and its drove fl oats through downtown without any
founder is more intriguing. crowds, and the event was broadcast online.

The Parade The Vigilante Day Parade has become
a tradition perpetuated annually by the
High school students stage one of the longest- dedication of both former and current faculty
running parades in the United States, known and students for both Helena High School
as the Vigilante Day Parade. Helena High Figure 1 : Albert James Roberts and Capital High School. May 3, 2024, was
School held a tradition called ‘The Senior- the date for the 100th-anniversary parade, with
Junior Fight’ in the early 20th century. It was a bloody and eighteen members of the Roberts family, representing three
destructive springtime aff air, the object of which was for the generations, serving as grand marshals.
juniors to take down and desecrate a senior-class fl ag, which
seniors would run up a fl agpole between the High School The Founder
and the adjacent Central School. In response to intense
fi ghting, the School Board resolved to remove the fl agpole. Albert James Roberts was born on June 11, 1867, in Central,
Following this, seniors hoisted their fl ag on the pole at the Keweenaw County, Michigan. He went to a public school
top of the high school, which resulted in a rooftop altercation. in his local town. He later attended Albion College and
Consequently, a strict enforcement was put in place, banning obtained an A.B. degree in 1896. His passion for knowledge
all aspects of the tradition from school property. This resulted and commitment to education inspired him to further his
in the confl ict spreading throughout the town, resulting studies in Germany and France. He attended the University
in further violence and property damage. Over the years, of Halle and the University of Leipzig from 1896 to 1897.
authorities had attempted to organize alternative senior- Subsequently, he enrolled in courses at the Sorbonne in
junior competitions. Students perceived these events as too Paris, France, from 1897 to 1898.
tame and controlled. There were other unauthorized student
activities during those years, including “Sneak Day,” in which In September 1898, Brother Roberts arrived in Helena and
truancy was widespread, and “Old Clothes Day; there was also taught elsewhere until he could secure a position at High
“Costume Day,” which was held only once but contributed to School in 1899. He served as an instructor in German and
the basic idea of the Vigilante Parade. History at Helena High School from 1899 to 1907. He was
the Assistant Principal from 1902 to 1907. For 28 years
In 1924, discussions between students and administrators laid (1907-1935), he held the position of Principal at Helena High
the groundwork for the parade: a grand pageant of historical School. During 1911 and 1916, he served as the President of
fl oats involving most students in a creative competition and the Montana State Teachers Association. He was selected
having the theme of the rugged pioneer spirit at its heart. to be the President of the Montana branch of the American
School Peace League. He was associate editor for the Inter-
Floats are constructed by high school students from the Mountain Educator, Montana’s offi cial school newspaper. In
Helena Public School system and are themed around historical addition, he served as the President of the State High School
events in Helena and Montana. Seven categories are given Athletic Association and the Director of the State High
to students: American Indian, Historic Helena, Pioneer Life, School Debating League.
Helena Business, Famous People, Mining Transportation, and
Antique Vehicles. Students vie for the prestigious Roberts He was a strong advocate for the betterment of the city and
Cup, given to the class with the most parade fl oats, be it the state, and his voice was often sought after for public
freshmen, sophomores, juniors, or seniors. This cup serves as speaking engagements. Brother Roberts was a man of quiet
a tribute to A.J. Roberts, the former principal of Helena High dignity and scholarly manner who had a deep understanding
School, who initiated the Vigilante Parade in 1924. of human nature. During his tenure at Helena High School,
he witnessed seven classes graduate as a teacher and
In 1939, Olav V of Norway (then crown prince) and his wife twenty-nine as the Principal, overseeing a total of thirty-
Martha, who were on a tour of the United States, witnessed six graduating classes. The class of 1924 was the fi rst class
the parade as part of their eff orts to enhance relations to experience the creation of the “Vigilante Day Parade,” a
between the two countries. In 1942, the Vigilante Day Parade tradition that would continue for years to come.
Montana Freemason Page 20 June/July 2024 Volume 100 No.3