| Description |
Here acmes the parade! First the City Band 'blaring Sousa's "Stars and Stripes Forever", then the Rational Guard Officers.toting large American and State flags. Next, a brightly decorated Model T" i Ford carrying the Mayor, his wife and a prominent State Senator, our speaker of the day. There were bands-High School, Military and Scottish Bag Pipe-interspersed with dozens of horse-drawn buggies, horsemen and brightly decorated floats furnished by town merchants. ' Hiding on the floats were prominent citizens, pretty girls and flag-waving children. Children also rode decorated bikes, trikes, and wagons, some dressed as historical characters, and aTT smiling proudly. Now cones the fire truck-the fixesen throwing handfuls of wrapped candy chews to the children along the street. What a scramble! Off to the Torn Hall to hear the patriotic speeches. The National Guard Band played a medley of marches and stirring tunes. Then there was a prayer petitioning God to bless the leaders of the nation, the state, the town and *Qi citizens. The town soprano gave her interpretation of the "Star Spangled Banner." Ke were filled with pride that we lived in taerica! The Mayor welcomed us and listed the town laprovenenta that a had taken place since he took office. He introduced the State Sen- 1 ator, who described the writing and adoption of the Declaration of , Independence. He told us to be proud we were Americans. But it was hot, and as children do, we wriggled and impatiently Halted for some of the freedom we were hearing about. It was a relief to get into the fresh air. He greatly enjoyed the ten-block walk home to our traditional Fourth of July noon meal-fried chicken, creased new potatoes and peas, ending with a large serving of honemade ice crean, refreshed .., further with a glass of tangy root beer. ,j| After dinner He returned to the afternoon of sports held on the vast lawn of the church grounds. The Master of Cereaonles had a bright arm band and a shrill whistle. He used an orange-colored megaphone to annource the events of the day. The first event was a foot race for children five and six years old. The little ones lined up, tense and eager. Parents stood by anxiously. The whistle blew-they scampered to the finish line, and the first three to cross were spotted. Prizes of twenty-five centa, fifteen cents and ten cents were awarded to the winners. Next was the race for seven and eight year olds. I can't reaember if my brother won or not. I was too excited about «y own group of nine and ten year olds. I case in third and proudly added the ten cents ^-^tm to ray remaining fifteen cents. ~W Race events continued, including all ages, adults and a group they called "old folks." There were special events such as sack races, three-legged races and relays. Dunking for coins In tubs of -57- |
