The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1878-06-22
THE PEORIA REGATTA.

While Peoria IS really inc moSl ucaulhui
city in Illinois, it is, for its size and advant-
ages, about the slowest. Once or twice it had
the state fair, but beyond that one seldom
hears of any big gathering or "doin's" at PEG
ria-any great funniest boss trot, county far,
womcn's rights convention, religious revival,
temperance movement or any amusement
or excitement of that sort. However, some
body passing through the city, and looking at
her beautiful "lake" suggested "what n lovely
place this would be for regatta" The
thought took root even in such unfavorablc
soil as the average Peoria noddle, and grew
into actually. "A regatta-a regatta-lets
have regatta" everybody said. The hotels,
the eating houses and the saloon-keepers were
unanimously for it and took up the idea with
enthusiasm. So, although Peoria had few
boats of its own and no presentable boat club
to speak Of one was eXtemporised for the oc-
cason, and clubbing itself loftily "'The Missis-
sippi Valley Rowing Association" sent out
invitations to all the world to join them and
to come with their boats and clubs to Peoria
and give them a regatta. The invitation was
quite literally responded to by Chicago, Mil
waukcc, st. Louis, Burlington, Moline, St.
Paul, &c, and on Wednesday and Thursday
of this week the regatta took place, 1t would
hardly pay our readers to go into details. The
affair attracted to the city so many strangers
that all the hotels were overcrowded and pri-
vate houses had to be opened to harbor the in
nux of strangers. When the races took place
on Wednesday it is estimated that 10000 peo-
pie had gathered on the banks of the 'lake' to
witness the spectacle. The performance
opened with yacht race, for which there were
six entries of very ordinary crafts of that spe-
ccs, but after short and dismally slow sail
the race was adjourned to next day for want
of wind
The next was called the Junior Four Dared
Shell Race" for which there were six entries,
including boats and crews from Burlington,
st. Louis Chicago, Milwaukee, Moline and
Peoria The Moline "Sylvans' won the race,
making the distancc-oue mile and return
in 131215, to the Peorias IL 3215.
The next was senior double scull, for which
there were two entries-the Minnesota Boat
Club, st. Paul, and the Riverdale Athletic
club of Riverdale, H. Won easily by the
Minncsotas in IA 42T. There were two or
three more races attended by no striking Incl
dents, when the days advertisements wound up
with very amusing tub race. There were 1G
entries but 10 only started of whom but one
kept his tub above water from the time Of
leaving the starting place to the return. Some
went out of their tubs heels over head, while
others leaped out apparently panic struck,
On Thursday, the weather being more favor
able, the yacht race was renewed at 10 A, NJ
The distance was six miles, and there were
five entries, Kitty-Cat winning in 80.
In the afternoon there was a Senior four
Dared Soul race; Junior Scull race; four
cared Gig race; Senior Single Scull race, a
Swimming race, a grand Commodore's review,
&c, ending up with ball III the evening
at Rouse's Hall The attendance was full as
large as the previous day, and all IN all the
regatta is estimated TO have been an immense
success, and Peoria Is nearly as proud as if she
had won in the fight with Springfield for the
state house.