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In 1984, Charles Williams, then the president of Indiana Black Expo, organized the first Circle City Classic in Indianapolis. Two college bands marched in the parade.

Forty years later, the event, held before the Circle City Classic football game, features drill teams, marching bands and floats from all over the country. Check out some of Ted Somerville’s best pics from the parade, led by Grand Marshal Jacob Latimore, actor and R&B recording artist.

The Norfolk State University Spartan Legion band marches up Meridian Street Sept. 28, 2024, in Indianapolis. Credit: Ted Somerville for Mirror Indy

The Dancing Dolls from Atlanta and Birmingham warm up before the start of the Circle City Classic parade Sept. 28, 2024, in downtown Indianapolis. Credit: Ted Somerville for Mirror Indy

Lowriders drive up Meridian St. in the parade Sept. 28, 2024, in downtown Indianapolis. Credit: Ted Somerville for Mirror Indy

A parade spectator poses for a portrait Sept. 28, 2024, in Indianapolis. Credit: Ted Somerville for Mirror Indy

Lanique Expressions dance team performs on Meridian Street on Sept. 28, 2024, in downtown Indianapolis. Credit: Ted Somerville for Mirror Indy

Rich Township High School marching band performs in the Circle City Classic parade Sept. 28, 2024, in downtown Indianapolis. Credit: Ted Somerville for Mirror Indy

Crowd members watch and record the Circle City Classic parade Sept. 28, 2024, in downtown Indianapolis. Credit: Ted Somerville for Mirror Indy

The Circle City Classic Queen and Court members wave to the crowd from their float Sept. 28, 2024, in downtown Indianapolis. Credit: Ted Somerville for Mirror Indy

Indianapolis Fire Dept. Chief Ernest Malone rides in the parade motorcade Sept. 28, 2024, in downtown Indianapolis. Credit: Ted Somerville for Mirror Indy

A flag corps performs in the parade on Meridian Street on Sept. 28, 2024, in downtown Indianapolis. Credit: Ted Somerville for Mirror Indy

Te’mya Hawkins and her poodle Onxy march in the parade. Credit: Ted Somerville for Mirror Indy

Kappa Alpha Psi members march up Meridian Street on Sept. 28, 2024, in downtown Indianapolis. Credit: Ted Somerville for Mirror Indy

Naptown Real Rollers member Sierra Sanders does a skate move on Meridian Street on Sept. 28, 2024, in Indianapolis. Credit: Ted Somerville for Mirror Indy

A marching band warms up before the start of the parade Sept. 28, 2024, in Indianapolis. Credit: Ted Somerville for Mirror Indy

A Rich Township High School marching band drummer performs in the Circle City Classic parade Sept. 28, 2024, in downtown Indianapolis. Credit: Ted Somerville for Mirror Indy

Members of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority march on Meridian Street on Sept. 28, 2024, in downtown Indianapolis. Credit: Ted Somerville for Mirror Indy

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraterntity step dancers perform on Meridian Street on Sept. 28, 2024, in downtown Indianapolis. Credit: Ted Somerville for Mirror Indy

Pageant participants watch the parade from the sidewalk Sept. 28, 2024, in downtown Indianapolis. Credit: Ted Somerville for Mirror Indy

A cheerleader dances in front of a marching band during the Circle City Classic parade Sept. 28, 2024, in downtown Indianapolis. Credit: Ted Somerville for Mirror Indy

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Look: Bands, fans and dancers at the Circle City Classic parade

by adminnewspack and Ted Somerville, Mirror Indy
September 30, 2024

<h1>Look: Bands, fans and dancers at the Circle City Classic parade</h1>
<p class="byline">by adminnewspack and Ted Somerville, Mirror Indy <br />September 30, 2024</p>

<p>In 1984, <a href="https://indyencyclopedia.org/circle-city-classic/#:~:text=as%20seed%20money%2C%20Charles%20Williams,Black%20youths%20to%20attend%20college." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Charles Williams</a>, then the president of Indiana Black Expo, organized the first Circle City Classic in Indianapolis. Two college bands marched in the parade. </p>
<p>Forty years later, the event, held before the <a href="https://indianapolisrecorder.com/circle-city-classic-lineup-of-events-announced/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Circle City Classic</a> football game, features drill teams, marching bands and floats from all over the country. Check out some of Ted Somerville's best pics from the parade, led by Grand Marshal Jacob Latimore, actor and R&amp;B recording artist.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Circle-City-Classic-Parade-Ted-Somerville-15-1024x732.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-36244" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Norfolk State University Spartan Legion band marches up Meridian Street Sept. 28, 2024, in Indianapolis.</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Circle-City-Classic-Parade-Ted-Somerville-2-1024x757.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-36236" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Dancing Dolls from Atlanta and Birmingham warm up before the start of the Circle City Classic parade Sept. 28, 2024, in downtown Indianapolis.</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Circle-City-Classic-Parade-Ted-Somerville-45-1024x634.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-36258" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Lowriders drive up Meridian St. in the parade Sept. 28, 2024, in downtown Indianapolis.</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Circle-City-Classic-Parade-Ted-Somerville-18-1024x698.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-36246" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A parade spectator poses for a portrait Sept. 28, 2024, in Indianapolis.</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Circle-City-Classic-Parade-Ted-Somerville-34-1024x619.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-36252" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Lanique Expressions dance team performs on Meridian Street on Sept. 28, 2024, in downtown Indianapolis.</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Circle-City-Classic-Parade-Ted-Somerville-10-1024x665.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-36241" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rich Township High School marching band performs in the Circle City Classic parade Sept. 28, 2024, in downtown Indianapolis.</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Circle-City-Classic-Parade-Ted-Somerville-9-1024x661.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-36240" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Crowd members watch and record the Circle City Classic parade Sept. 28, 2024, in downtown Indianapolis.</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Circle-City-Classic-Parade-Ted-Somerville-7-1024x773.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-36239" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Circle City Classic Queen and Court members wave to the crowd from their float Sept. 28, 2024, in downtown Indianapolis.</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Circle-City-Classic-Parade-Ted-Somerville-44-1024x712.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-36257" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Indianapolis Fire Dept. Chief Ernest Malone rides in the parade motorcade Sept. 28, 2024, in downtown Indianapolis.</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Circle-City-Classic-Parade-Ted-Somerville-42-1024x735.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-36255" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A flag corps performs in the parade on Meridian Street on Sept. 28, 2024, in downtown Indianapolis.</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-gallery alignwide has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Circle-City-Classic-Parade-Ted-Somerville-43-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-36256" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Te'mya Hawkins and her poodle Onxy march in the parade.</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Circle-City-Classic-Parade-Ted-Somerville-37-670x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-36253" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Xavier Beasley of Wilberforce University stands with his sousaphone at the end of the parade route.</figcaption></figure>
</figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Circle-City-Classic-Parade-Ted-Somerville-40-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-36254" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Kappa Alpha Psi members march up Meridian Street on Sept. 28, 2024, in downtown Indianapolis.</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Circle-City-Classic-Parade-Ted-Somerville-27-1024x778.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-36250" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Naptown Real Rollers member Sierra Sanders does a skate move on Meridian Street on Sept. 28, 2024, in Indianapolis.</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Circle-City-Classic-Parade-Ted-Somerville-6-1024x880.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-36238" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A marching band warms up before the start of the parade Sept. 28, 2024, in Indianapolis.</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Circle-City-Classic-Parade-Ted-Somerville-33-1024x846.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-36251" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Lanique Expressions dance team performs on Meridian Street on Sept. 28, 2024, in downtown Indianapolis.</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Circle-City-Classic-Parade-Ted-Somerville-12-697x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-36242" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A Rich Township High School marching band drummer performs in the Circle City Classic parade Sept. 28, 2024, in downtown Indianapolis.</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Circle-City-Classic-Parade-Ted-Somerville-20-1024x779.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-36247" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Members of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority march on Meridian Street on Sept. 28, 2024, in downtown Indianapolis.</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Circle-City-Classic-Parade-Ted-Somerville-25-1024x790.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-36248" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Alpha Phi Alpha Fraterntity step dancers perform on Meridian Street on Sept. 28, 2024, in downtown Indianapolis.</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Circle-City-Classic-Parade-Ted-Somerville-17-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-36245" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pageant participants watch the parade from the sidewalk Sept. 28, 2024, in downtown Indianapolis.</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Circle-City-Classic-Parade-Ted-Somerville-13-1024x677.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-36243" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A cheerleader dances in front of a marching band during the Circle City Classic parade Sept. 28, 2024, in downtown Indianapolis.</figcaption></figure>
<p>This &lt;a target=&quot;_blank&quot; href=&quot;https://mirrorindy.org/photos-circle-city-classic-parade-faces-bands-dancers/&quot;&gt;article&lt;/a&gt; first appeared on &lt;a target=&quot;_blank&quot; href=&quot;https://mirrorindy.org&quot;&gt;Mirror Indy&lt;/a&gt; and is republished here under a &lt;a target=&quot;_blank&quot; href=&quot;https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/&quot;&gt;Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;img src=&quot;https://i0.wp.com/mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/cropped-Mirror-Indy-square-logo-1.png?resize=150%2C150&amp;amp;ssl=1&quot; style=&quot;width:1em;height:1em;margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;</p>
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