pageant

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. An elaborate public dramatic presentation that usually depicts a historical or traditional event.
2. n. A spectacular procession or celebration.
3. n. Colorful showy display; pageantry or pomp.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. A scaffold, in general movable (moving on four wheels, as a car or float), on which shows, spectacles, and plays were represented in the middle ages; a stage or platform; a triumphal car, chariot, arch, statue, float, or other object-forming part of or carried in public shows and processions.
2. n. The play performed upon such a scaffold or platform; a spectacle; a show; an entertainment; a theatrieal exhibition; hence, a procession or parade with stately or splendid accompaniments; a showy display.
3. n. Hangings of tapestry and the like decorated with scenes, incidents, etc.
4. Brilliant and showy; ostentatious.
5. To exhibit in show; flaunt.

Wiktionary

1. n. An elaborate public display, especially a parade in historical or traditional costume.
2. n. A spectacular ceremony.
3. n. A beauty pageant.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. A theatrical exhibition; a spectacle.
2. n. An elaborate exhibition devised for the entertainmeut of a distinguished personage, or of the public; a show, spectacle, or display.
3. adj. Of the nature of a pageant; spectacular.
4. v. To exhibit in show; to represent; to mimic.

WordNet 3.0

1. n. an elaborate representation of scenes from history etc; usually involves a parade with rich costumes
2. n. a rich and spectacular ceremony