New Britain herald., 1917-04-17
SALOONS TO CLOSE DURING BIG PARADE Liquor Dealers Assn, Unsolicited,
 Votes to Help Boom Celebration PAGEANT STARTS AT 2:so

to Participate i'm Procession-
 one Invited to Get in Line and
 March Behind Old Glory.
 The extent to which the entire pop ulace of New Britain is to cooperate in the Wake Up America Day. cele- bration on Thursday is shown by the voluntary action of the New Britain Liquor Dealers association when, un- solicited, they voted this morning to have all saloons, cafes and bars closed on Thursday afternoon between the hours of 1880 and 4:30 o'clock while the patriotic exercises are in prog ress. Previously the factories and stores had agreed to suspend busi- ness during the afternoon, and the su- perintendent of schools had agreed to permit the school children to take part. With the monster parade planned. together wifh the elaborate exercises. everything now points to an event such as the Hardware City never before experienced.
 All Societies Arc Invited.
 Many social, political and fraternal organizations held special meetings last night and voted to participate in the parade. Among the societies that had agreed to march in the parade. and who had so reported to the mar shall at 10 o'clock were the Elks, the New Britain Rifle club, New Britain council, o. U. A. M., the Columbian society, Washington commandery, F. O. s. of A., the Polish Falcons, the Polish Political club, the Polish Rifle club, the Slavak club, St. Joseph's g club, the Boys club and several others. Other clubs and societies aFe to get into communication with Marshall A. l.. Thompson during the day and eve ming. Others which will take part are the K. of C.. the A. O. H., the Tabs, the Boy Scouts and Tierney Cadets.
 Although the general committee has sent invitations to over 150 societies inviting them to join in the celebra- tion and parade, all have not been re- ceived. The committee states that if any society or organization whatso- ever has not received an invitation as yet it is not because of negligence, but is due either to misdirected let ters or to the fact that at short notice
 
 into communication with tho proper society officers. The general commit tee is anxious that every organization should understand and appreciate the fact that they are cordially invited to take part in any way they see fit. Parade Starts at 2:3O F. M. | Col. A. L. Thompson, grand mar shal, has made some of his plans for I 1H hos 1 changed to 2:3O o'clock and those who are to take part will assemble at Franklin Square at p. m. The tenta- 1 tive procession will consist of the marshals, platoon of police, city off, l cials and guests, uniformed organiza- | tions and then the school children and all others who are to take part. The proposed line of march is down | Franklin Square to Rockwell avenue to Arch street, to Main street, to East
 Main street, to Spring street. to North ] street, to Main street, up West Main street to Russell street, counter march back to Central park where the
 procession will stand at attention dur ing the exercises and be dismissed
 later.
 Grandstand Erected.
 1 Work of erecting a large grandstand l for the chorus of singers was begun today. It will be located just south of the monument. The United bands l will render patriotic music during the exercises and there will be the sing l ing of patriotic airs by choruses and by the entire gathering and for this l purpose 10000 programs are being 1 printed for distribution. During the
 flag raising exercises there will be
 cheering for three minutes, during
 which time church bells will ring and
 factory whistles will blow. The com mittee also requests that all houses 1 and buildings along the line of march be decorated with the national colors l (Continued on Eleventh Page.)