St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1902-07-02
st. Jean BaptiSte Day.

Of st, Johnsbury before, but never on so
elaborate scale as June "a. The
weather was excellent and the program
as arranged was carried out to the sat
islaction of all.
The exercises began with mornipgmass
at 8 o'clock celebrated at Notre Dame
church, by Rev. Father Marceau. Rev.
Father Lessard, of Whitefeld, gave an
eloquent address, appropriate to the
occasion, speaking OF the prominent part
the French took in the settlement and
development of North America. Leon
ards mass in B fiat was rendered by a
chorus choir Of IS voices, under the direc
ton of Thomas Gagnon, accompanied by
the organ and an orchestra of II pieces.
The solo parts were we'll taken by Misses
A. Lavigne and Mary A. Gagnon and
Philias ]. Gagnon and DR.. John A. Drouin.
The church decorations were elaborate
and beautiful. The splendid interior
was a mass of bunting, French and
American flags and maple branches ar
ranged with artistic taste. This scheme
of decorations was designed by E. N.
Brunette, and executed by Mr.. Brunette,
Adrien Asselin, Alfred Lavigne, and J. B.
Bilodeau. A large number visited the
church during the day to view the deco
tations aud cameras were considerably
in evidence.
THE PARADE.
Immediately following the mass came
the parade under the command of N.
St. Germain as chief marshall, with Aris-
tide Lachance Alphonse Piche, DR.. John
A. Drouin and Ed Asselin as aids. The
line OF march was along some of the
principal streets, and the formation of
the parade was as follows:
st. Johnsbury Band,
Chief Marshal and Aids.
Colors and Banner with Guard.
st. Johnsbury Court No. 300, c. O. F., 100
men; commanders c. N. Corriyeau and
Louis carrier.
Boys of the parochial schools carrying flags.
Union ST. Jean Baptiste, 60 men; command
ers, P. D. Dupont and {. Constantineau.
Old st. Jean B 4ptiste Society, SO men COM
| mander, Jereme SauVe,
| Carriage containing Rev. FIR. Boissonnault
| and Rev. FIR. Lessard.
The old st. John Baptist society, or.
gained 80 years ago, which was recently
superseded by the Union st. Jean Bap-
tiste, showed their interest in the ceebra-
ton by turning out so many men. They
were led by Henry Renaud, the tallest
man in town, carrying the banner which
| he carried on similar occasion 80 years
ago, and again at the grand internation-
al gathering at Montreal in 1874, where
it was awarded second prize in a compe-
tition with banners from all parts of the
country. When the parade reached the
Fair Ground, the chief marshall thanked
the organizations for their part in the
parade, and was given three hearty
cheers. DR.. c. A. Provost, chairman Of
the committee on arrangements, and
Rev. Father Boissonnault were also Civ
en- three cheers.
AT THE FAIR GROUNDS.
The greater part of the day was spent
at the Fair Grounds where an excellent
program OF sports was carried out. The
ball game between the Foresters anC
Union St. Jean Baptiste was well played
and resulted in victory for the former
with a score OF 16 to 10. L. N. Smyth'
and DR.. T. ]. Walsh acted as umpires
An excellent dinner was served at moor
and the sports OF the afternoon wer,
commenced at once with J. N, St. Ger
main as master of events. The potato
race was tie between A. Duquette ant
Paul Lynch. The tug OF war, Forester
vs. St. Jean Baptists was hot contes
in which the latter won. There wer
eight entries in the bicycle race, and tn
first prize went to ]. Charland of Lyr
donville, with Napoleon Sicard seconC
Joseph Lapoint took the first and Par
Lynch the second prize i'll the haltmi'
foot race. A Duquette won the 100 var
dash, with Ed. TrombIay second, an
the wheelbarrow race also went to MI
Duquette The horse races proved yer
close aud interesting. The exhibitio
heat between Napoleon Cloutier's Este
la" and N. E Richards thinker" wa
won by the former. There were FIVE Ell
tries in the three minute class, Fran
Benoit winning the first and c. N. Co
riveau the second prizes. The st. John
bury Band was present and enlvent
the occasion with excellent music.
THE CONCERT.
A large audience gathered at Mus
Hall in the evening to listen to the co
cert which closed the days celebratio
This was worthy of the highest praise
J awhole, and Mrs, c. COnstantineau, wi
l has had general direction of the affa
: has worked hard for its success and
d, success is largely due to her, The orcht
O ira of % pieces, under the direction
: John H. Moore, was great feature, al
l. the chorus of 81 voices was of unjust
: excellence, The solo work, both VOC