Omaha daily bee., 1914-07-05
PARKS ARE GATHERING PLACES
Big Event Of Dav is Formal Open
ing Of Fontanelle Park by
Improvement Clubs.
FLAG CEREMONY IS PRETTY
Gift of Park Commissioner Hummel
to the New Park.
FIREWORKS IN THE EVENING
Day t. different I'm That the Cele~
brations Are In Nature of Cath
inEa In the Various
NeiRhbOrhOods.
omahn had a glorious Fourth.

Omaha had a glorious Fourth.
II was a different kind of a Fourth
than ever was celebrated in Omaha, being
a sort OF n neighborhood affair, each
separate district OF the city having ttS
own celebration, so that the crowds were
scattered all over All the outdoor clubs
had stunts for their members, aocoriingf
to their liking and each park had some
sort OF a celebration. Perhaps the most
pretentious affair OF the day was the
formal opening of Fontenelle park. one
OF the newest additions to tho breathing
spots OF the city
Singing societies held celebrations. bands
played patriotic music. the suburbs had
programs OF their own, all sorts of ath-
letic contests were staged and all in all
Il was voted glorious Fourth.
With the formal opening OF Fontenelle
park, combined with the Fourth of July
celebration. the Fontenelle Improvement
clubs did themselves credit In the days
festivities. A fund OF nearly u,60o was
raised through subscriptions and volun-
tary donations. so that nothing was
stinted in the matter OF arranging the
big celebration.
The prettiost ceremony was that OF the
flag raising steel flag pole seventy
five feet high had been erected, set in
cement. This was done by the city park
| comrntssioner. Park Commissioner Hum-
mol presented the flag. Judge Lee Es-
tele made the speech of acceptance. snS
addressed some patriotic remarks to the
assembled crowd.
| At u o'clock the word was given. wills
liam L. Hackett, captain Of the Omaha
Navy club. frightened the cord and the
| colors began TO climb. The dozen mems
hers OF the Navy club in uniform took
hold Of the rope and drew the flag 70
tho top of the pole. 3tlgsl'ss
4 In lleu OF the twcnty-one guns that
should be Tired on such an occasion. the
Navy club had provided aerial bombs.
These were shot high in the air where
lthoy exploded one at time until twenty.
ono distinct and loud reports had been
given. The Fourth regiment band struck
up with the star spangied Banner" af.
ter which the crowd disbanded ana re-
paired to the tables in the shade in the
valleys where basket lunches were
served.
PriEes Are Distributed.
Some $500 worth OF prizes were dis
tributed 20 the winners In the various
races and other contests. The prizes
were on the ground early in the day and
were exhibited in a large booth. From
early in the morning until after the races
] an eager crowd OF boys and grown-upa
stood around this booth admiring the
various prizes. which included everything
from gold hatpins to catching gloves.
from breastplns to watches
The events at Fontenelle park were
under the Joint auspices OF j. B. Hummel.
park commissioner. Central Park Social
Center. Clairmont Improvement club.
Monmouth Park Social Center. Fons
tonelle Park Improvement club and Kens
wood Fairfax Improvement club. p. W.
Sinnett was chairman of the executive
committee in charge OF arrangements
Frank Dewey was chairman OF the fi-
nance committee. A. W., Miller chair-
man OF clerks OF the course committee
j. B. Mclean was chairman Of the CONS
mittee on the morning events. H. j.
Hackett was chairman of the flag raising
committee OF the afternoon events there
we're three chairmen. George McDougalls
w. J. Hislop and William J. Hotx.