La Junta tribune., 1916-07-08
OUR BIG CELEBRATION.
La Junta Made Merry and Showed
Several Thousand People Good
Time-Biggest Day Ever.

La Juntas Fourth OF July celebra-
tion exceeded all expectations in
grandeur, and in the number OF peo-
pie in attendance, estimated to be
about 10000. II was neither safe
nor sane according to that definition
OF safety and sanity that puts the
ban on the use of explosives on such
occasions. but no one was hurt. and
no one has been routed to Pueblo.
so II was all right. II there IL any
truth in the old superstition that ex-
plosives bring up rain clouds, La Jun
Ia is scheduled for deluge in the
near future. as enough powder was
burned to blow up all Mexico; but
the weather man Is making no prom
ises. People thought the rain had
come Tuesday night when big black
clouds arrived followed by high
wind. but other than putting an end
to the evening display OF fireworks
and sending people scurrying home
ward. the clouds produced no re-
suits
There were probably as many Wis
itors as natives at the celebration. In
fact II seemed as II most OF the peo-
pie gathered around the court house
square were from out OF town. Bug
gies were lined up for block in
front Of the livery stables, and there
were dozens OF automobiles and also
swarms OF Fords crowding the
streets Nine thousand sandwiches
and seven tubs of coffee went over
the tables at the barbecue and II the
restaurants fed any one at all. or any
one ate at home. the ten thousand
participants In the celebration pre-
dicted by the committee were all on
hand. The committees had provided
everything necessary for the enter
tainment OF visitors. Besides the
scheduled events. there was merry
go-round and a Ferris wheel for peo-
pie that like to go around In circle
and besides a number of shooting
galleries and niger baby" stands.
There were also a large number Of
places where one could satisfy his
thirst with pop or lemonade and for
those who desired something not so
strong there was a barrel OF water
standing in the park. Ice cream mer-
chants sold several hundred gallons
OF ice cream and the supply ran short
because of the scarcity OF sweet
cream.
The grand parade of decorated au-
tomobiles and floats followed the
morning baseball game. II is impos-
sible TO describe the entries so nu-
merous and varied were they. How
ever there was nothing but praise
for the whole parade and 1t was a
beautiful sight.
The Va y Floral Company won
the prize OF s25 for the best decor
ated Industrial float Their car was
decorated with red. white. and pink
carnations. Shasta daisies, Easter
lilies, snap dragons, marguerites and
dahlias on background OF green.
Three white doves were on the front
OF the ear.
The Phi Sigma Delta Girls won the
prize for the best decorated automo-
bile. Their decorations consisted OF
yellow and white chrysanthemums
and pretty girls. This prize was also
s25.
Hoods Bakery won the comical
prize OF SIS. Their entry was a bur
row on whose back was a plait loaf
of bread with u large basket OF bread
suspended on each side. The animal
also wore u pair OF star spangled
pants on his rear propellers.
There were also several decorated
bicycles In the parade which were
quite attractive. Although a prize of
81 pair OF tires was offered. no de-
clsion was made and the matter was
arbitrated. each entrant receiving
one OF the tires. The entrants were
Howard Kranz and c. c. Hollar.
Il. @. Dalton was the marshal OF
the day and preceded the parade on
IA high stepping equine. Following
him we're costumed riders and tiny
girls wheeling baby carriages. The
q. A. X. boys were next In line In n
place OF honor aud were followed by
several boy scouts. The floats and
decorated automobiles brought up
the rear. Among those participating
In the parade were:
La Junta Band.
Members q. A. X.
Boy Scouts.
Chiidren's Display. by Daughters
A. -l.... n..Atuelau