pag·eant / ˈpajənt/ • n. a public entertainment consisting of a procession of people in elaborate, colorful costumes, or an outdoor performance of a historical scene. ∎  (also beauty pageant) a beauty contest. ∎  a thing that looks impressive or grand, but is actually shallow and empty. ∎ hist. a scene erected on a fixed stage or moving vehicle as a public show.

pageant †scene acted on a stage XIV; †stage on which scenes were acted, esp. in the open-air performances of the miracle plays XV; †tableau or series of tableaux XVI; brilliant spectacle XIX; scenic exhibition of local history XX. Late ME. pagyn (in contemp. AL. pagina), of unkn. orig. With parasitic d, t, from XIV (cf. ancient, peasant, tyrant).
Hence pageantry XVII.