Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1898-07-07
WAS A SUCCESS.

Belding's Fourth of July Celebration was
Very Much So-Weather Fine, speech
Grand, Crowd Large, Every
body Pleased.
The day, the celebration and the
crowd in Belding to commemorate the
Fourth of July last Monday was all
that could be wished for and the peo-
pie who were in the city are satisfied
the event was successful one. The
crowds of people coming from far and
near were large and they began com
ing early and stayed late. Many Of our
business houses put on appropriate at
tire OF red, white and blue and it was
the prevailing color worn by many a
country lad and lassie. Cannons
doomed, flags Aoated and fre-crackers
snapped all day long.
The Belding Shoe Factory band were
out before eight O'Clock and together
with the reception committee met the
Hon. Washington Gardner, orator Of
the day, at the morning train. The
band is deserving of much praise for
the part they took in the exercises.
They were not bit cranky and the
music was par excellence. They play
ed and played and it didn't cost the
committee cent. All hail to the
band. Fred A. Washburn was presi-
dent Of the day and Chas. Nj. Wise
marshal.
At 1890 O'Clock the crowd assembled
around the band stand in the park, the
"Star Spangled Banner and "Amer-
Lea were sung, Rev. b. ". Child
offered prayer, II. l.. VanBenschoten
read the declaration of independence
and the Hon. Washington Gardner, of
Lansing, secretary of state delivered
one of the best orations ever given in
this city Sports of various kinds such
as sack race, foot race, hurdle race,
potato race and bicycle race amused
the crowd which lined Main street dur
ing the forenoon.
The baby show came of in the after
noon and the prizes for the best baby
under one year old was awarded to
Mrs. Will Richmond and Mrs. Riley
Owen, for those between one and two
years old to Mrs. Hathaway and Mrs.
Schafer. Large crowds went out to
Ellis Park and the fair grounds in
the afternoon to see the ball games
between the Grand Rapids and Ionia
teams and the former team and Bed-
ing. The horse racing was on also at
the same time.
At o'clock Prof Geo. Raimann, of
this city, gave fine exhibition of rope
walking and fully two thousand per-
sons stood in the public square to wit
ness the daring feat The rope was
stretched across Bridge street from
the top Of the Belding blocks, and Mr..
Raimann entertained the crowd for a
half hour with his rope walking and
trapeze act which was very fine indeed.
At 8 o'clock came the street parade
headed by the band, followed by large
float representing the Belding Hall
Mfg. Co.'S refrigerators and stove
boards. Many of their employees
marched and carried flags, it was an
excellent display.
The Belding Bros. g. Co. with dray
load of raw silk appropriately decorat-
ed was also represented. The old con-
tinental band with fife and drum by
Wild Howe, A. f.. Weter and Myron
Spanogle in costume was an attractive
feature.
Mrs. Harry Ward and Mrs. G. o.
Bishop in red, white and blue costume
led the bicycle parade, and "A threshng
engine heading the famous old horse
car loaded with young and old America
brought up the rear. The parade was
a fine sight with its blazing rockets
aud red fire. A grand display OF fire.
works from a stand in the park closed
the days program, but the bowery
dances made merry until morning.
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