New Britain herald., 1917-04-20
PARADE PROVES TO
 BE BIGGEST EVER
80,O0O Watch While 5000 Parti-
 Cipate in Patriotic Exercises

With about 5000 citizens in the pro-
 cession. and fully so,ooo people lining
 the thoroughfares, New Britain yes- terday saw the biggest parade in her
 history. The Wake Up, America,
 Day. patriotic observance was one
 long to be remembered, and when 1t
 Is realized that in New York, the big
 gest city in the world. there were only
 five times as many paraders as there
 were in this city the extent to which
 New Britain turned out can be better
 appreciated. The parade took nearly an hour to pass a given point and all
 along the line of march, which was about three miles. almost every foot of curb space was utilized by spec tators and hundreds of people gazed down from tops of buildings and win dows along the route. Tho services at the First church last night were also largely attended and their patriotic nature was such as to form a fitting conclusion to the days exercises.
 \ To the general Committee which planned the observance and to Mar shal A. l.. Thompson and his aides, who planned and directed the parade. belongs the credit for the wonderful success of the pageant. There were but two unfortunate incidents to mar -Ihe occasion. both accidental. one phy sical and the other mechanical. Aide Alfred N. Thompson, in riding his spirited mount through Main street. was thrown heavily to the pavement when the animal slipped on the car tracks, near Church street. MT. Thompson was painfully bruised and his wrist was sprained, but later he pluckily insisted on resuming his po- sltion.
 z A new flag had been purchased for the occasion but when the moment ar lived to send 1t to the peak of the pole during the ceremonies at the park it could not be located. In or der not to disappoint the thousands 7 who had assembled for the occasion, those in charge borrowed a flag from one of the marching organizations and sent it aloft while the crowd cheered, Sang and waved the national colors. As the flag neared the top of the pole. one of the eyelets pulled out and tho banner came futtering down but was caught by Commander S. H. Woods of Stanley post before it reached the ground. Just about this time it was discovered that the new Aak was in the recruiting tent of Company F. on the green and in short time with the aid of Mayor Quigley's right arm the colors were floating in the breeze. 10 the accom- paniment of another out-> burst of patriotic emotion and the Factory whistles and church bc]lr Founding pandemonious salute for three minutes. . 4at
 A Parade the Biggest Ever. N The parade, which started at Franklin Square. proceeded along Rockwell avenue to Arch street, to Main street, to East Main street, to Spring street, to North street, back l down Main and into West Main street 1 as far as Burritt street where 1t 1 counter-marched to central park. To | call especial attention to marching or | der or appearance of any particular 1 Organization in the parade wouldea be | Unfair, since each individual oreGni- ! xation, from the platoon of police and | the city officials down to the little l girls, did their part in the most ap- 1 proved manner. The civilian organi- l xations were no less spirited in their l parading than were the uniformed so- cieties.
 The New Britain City Guard, which | followed the city officials, made it's first public appearance. in uniform and presented an impressive appear ance. The Polish Falcon Alliance of America, another uniformed and 4fmed organization, likewise present. a martial appearance as did the Members of Corbin Commandery. P. O s. of A. The Armenian Rifle club, E5thout firearms, marched in full uiiifornl as did the Tierney Cadets: Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, the degree teams of the O. U. A. M., the Red Men. the Knights of Pythias and others. The members of New Britain lodge, B. F. O. E.. marched in a body, carrying between columns a great American flag. Everywhere the colors predominated and every or- gaAization in the procession carried the colors at it's head, while individual
 members either carried a small flag or assisted in holding aloft a larger lag. All of the bands in the city xere present, a noteworthy item be- ing that all donated their services iratis. These musicians included the American band, the City band. the Philharmonic band, the American drum corps, the Tabs drum corps ind the Kensington T. A. & B. drum
 corps. The Boys club also present.
 d Ats own band. Other musical fea-
 eares of the parade were Colts band
 6E fifty pieces from Hartford. engaged
 nY the Elks, and the famous Ktltie
 bnnd from Hartford. engaged by the
 a<nttish Clans. Because of their
 ,1yaique costume possibly the Kiltie
 sand attracted the most attention
 ThSir drum major, giant standing s esll over six feet and build in pro-
 ndstion, presented a commanding ap-
 ,,<arance marching at the head of
 ht1 column, swinging his heavy baton.