Eric Espinosa

American traditions: Cheerleaders

Is there anything more "American" than Cheerleaders???? While taking my own kids to parades in the mid-West, I started to take pictures of these cheerleaders... Cheerleading is an important part of the American culture. Young girls from an early age start learning the music and the moves...You have Cheerleading teams from all high schools, colleges, all professional sports team across the nation... I have started a project, regrouping some pictures from different parades...I plan to work on this as a broader project over the coming year so this is just a very initial attempt to capture these American icons!

Cheerleaders in the Over-the-Rhine ghetto, downtown Cincinnati.
   
  
     
  
   
Major League Baseball's first officially recognized franchise the Cincinnati Reds were historically awarded the privilege of "opening the Openers" and hosted the outings from 1876-1989. Only twice during this time (1877 and 1966) were they forced to debut on the road due to rain. Finally in 1990, the tradition was broken and the Reds were scheduled to appear as the visitors against the Houston Astros. Despite the prestige of being christened as baseball's opening act, Cincinnati has posted an average record of 50-52-1 that has been shadowed by the countless spectacles off the baseline including parades, fireworks, circus performances and the opening of new ballparks in 1884, 1894, 1912 and 2003.
   
     
  
Cheerleaders on Opening Day parade downtown.