why would donkey be dressed up ?

[BlueUK]

Anyone know why this donkey and family are dressed up and for what kind of occasion .. The family are from Ecclefecan Dumfrieshire and the pic was take about 1890 at ecclefecan or perhaps Carlisle?

[Viktoria]

They look rather like Pearly Kings,Cockneys who decorated their clothes with pearl buttons.
Some of the clothes were literally smothered in buttons ,but you have to start somewhere!
It would most likely be a parade,for a holiday or Ithink they put a presence in at the racecourses .
They may have been imitating Pearly Kings etc but did not gave as many buttons .Perhaps for an event like King Edward Seventh’s Coronation when there were probably parades and fetes.Viktoria.

[Claire64]

I was just going to say the same Viktoria.  Dressing up as Pearly Kings.  The donkey looks a poor specimen bless him.  I'd look in the papers for reports of carnivals. 

[tomkin]

  I'm still wearing the Donkey's flares

[BlueUK]

Don't think it would be a pearly King thing would it, as they are a long ways from London

[Viktoria]

I only looked at the photograph,did not see the message!
Perhaps just dressing up for a carnival parade then.
But  it begs the question would they know in Ecclefechan about Pearly Kings etc?Viktoria.

[BlueUK]

it must be for a special occasion of some kind to go to the trouble of dressing up the donkey never mind the kids as well eh haha . Maybe it was something to do with the Scottish side of things ? thing is though I wonder why they needed the donkey in on the act maybe they were off somewhere ?

[tomkin]

 Forth Bridge opening? 1890 doubtful.  Local event?

         detailed scan of the small plaque on the donkey, may have something but

          also doubtful.

[BlueUK]

I tried that . I  had the pic in photoshop but  was unable to get any detail from the plaque on the donkey ,  unfortunately there isnt enough resolution or detail already there..  .:    looks like its going to remain a mystery   ...