Cyclists and tourists, mothers with children as well as elderly persons admired a New-Orleans-style parade organised on Saturday, 5 April, to inaugurate the 50th edition of the Jazz on the Oder Festival. Some of the passers-by joined the parade and went around Wroclaw's Main Square to the rhythm of When The Saints Go Marching In", one of the most popular jazz standards in history.
Musicians from the Funky New Orleans Orchestra and those who in order to take part in the parade dressed up in fancy costumes, such as suits, bowler hats and dresses characteristic of the 1920s, arrived in the city centre in a historic tram called Jaś i Małgosia (Hansel and Gretel). They descended the tram at Plac Teatralny and walked dancingly to the Main Square. They flew the banners of the the Jazz on the Oder Festival, distributed leaflets promoting its 50th edition and encouraged the residents of Wroclaw to join the party. Despite overcast and humid weather, numerous passers-by joined the parade. The parade listened to the festival bugle call that Tadeusz Nestorowicz played from the Town Hall's tower and then marched around the Main Square to return to Plac Teatralny, where they boarded the tram again and left for Impart, where festival concerts are traditionally held.
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