Baby boomers who grew up in the 1950s and '60s in the Sacramento region probably know of the Music Circus, a wildly successful entertainment operation that hosted Broadway musicals throughout the summers. What you may not know is that the beautiful and iconic tent that thousands of shows took place underneath was fabricated, installed and maintained by Goodwin Cole.
The massive blue and green patterned canopies stretched over a space large enough to seat a few thousand and played host to everything from Jesus Christ Superstar to Annie.
Attending a Music Circus event in the '50s, '60s, '70s, '80s, and '90s was a truly memorable event. I personally recall several special visits with my Grandmother and Grandfather, who were both theatre lovers. The sight of the iconic tent with several spires reaching toward the sky while holding it perfectly in place meant a night of fun was about to come. Goodwin Cole lowered this large canvas tent for the last time in the year 2002, and Music Circus now takes place year round at the Wells Fargo Pavilion.
Those who attended Junior High and High School graduations in the Sacramento area under the hot Sun of late June were often shaded and made much more comfortable by Goodwin Cole tents and awnings.
At well-attended places such as Crocker Riverside Elementary, Sutter Middle School, and John F. Kennedy High School, protection from the shade was quickly erected throughout the night before a graduation ceremony, causing minimal to zero impact on the day-to-day activities. Following the graduation and the clearing out of those in attendance, the entire structure was taken down, meaning that installation and takedown all took place within the span of 24 hours.
Such an endeavor is a large one, and all pieces need to be put in place exactly right to ensure the fabrics stay perfectly in place. This always involved a team of knowledgeable experts who moved swiftly and skillfully.
For decades, Goodwin Cole was the only name in tents and awnings in the Sacramento region. There was no second-best option, and many establishments took advantage of the high-quality fabrics and professional expertise of the crews.
Fast forward to 2025, and Goodwin Cole installs a large variety of shading and weather protection products, temporary and permanent. These include permanent pergolas with automated screens that pull out and retract at the push of a button. This also includes large awnings in the front of businesses that provide not only name branding on high-quality materials but also protection from the Sun in the summertime and shade from the rain come winter.
