The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1917-07-05
FOURTHOF JULY
PAR,',> '>;S =. REST
|NMANl T.. As
Nothing Like 1t Since Dedi-
cation of Monument
PICNIC BIG SUCCESS
Attractions at Hunts Upper Grove in
Afternoon Drew Nearly Two
Thousand People.

Bennington again demonstrated the
possession of real public spirit in
CARRYING out the parade and first an
nual Fourth OF July picnic yesterday
OF the Public Welfare association.
The parade was one Of the biggest
successes and one Of the most artistic
productions of its kind in the history
OF the community. Residents, who
have made their homes in Benning-
ton for many years, declared that its
equal had not been seen here since
the dedication of the Bennington battle
monument which was one of the
greatest occasions of the kind in the
history of the state.
The situation which the country
finds itself at the present time, at war
with the most warlike nation in the
world, provided the theme for most
of the features of the parade. The
flag and the national colors had
part in every decorative scheme ex-
cept in the few instances wherein
their appearance would have been in
appropriate and the different organi-
zations created for the purpose of re-
lief and assistance were predominant
ingly represented. The little dash of
comedy thrown into the line of march
was really needed as contrasting in
fiuence to more viyidly set out the al
most tragic thought portrayed by
some of the floats and decorated auto
mobiles. The attempts to depict the
great incidents OF American history,
especially those of a more serious ma.
ture, showed that the guiding thought
OF the observance was in keeping with
the times There was not feat or
a decorated car in the line that did
not give evidence that some one had
endeavored to carry out an idea and
had succeeded. 1t was this element
of serious thinking that made the
parade the wonderful success that it
really was.
There have been parades and pa.
rades in Bennington but probably
never parade that was better or
ganized in its details and carried out
in better manner than that of yes
terday. The signal to start was not
igiven until every unit was either in
place or ready to drop in line. The
streets over which the line of march
had been laid out had been carefully
restricted as regards traffic and there
was not a,hitch or minor accident of
any kind to mar the occasion. Not a
little credit for this feature was due
to the assistance of William w. Gamer
on. former New York state mounted
p lceman who was once more in the
saddle and in his element.
The Idea OF countermarching the pa
rade over Main street where the larg
or number OF people were gathered
was excellent. The parade was sc
good that all enjoyed the second pass
ing. The line of march was east over
Main street to Depot. countermarchine
over Main. east over Union to South
north over South and North 10 the
point of disbanding.
ut was fine parade, "was the uni
versal comment usually followed Will
the afterthought, somebody mus
have done a whole lot OF hard work.
This general appreciation OF the man
ner In which the members OF the dif
ferent committees toiled to produce |
pleasing spectacle is not only tribute
to those who labored, but II Is also ,
tribute to the public spirit of Benning
ton which has been so effectivel!
proved In recent years. The parad,
was actually so good that fault find
er couldn't be found anywhere and a
the small boy says that is goinl
some"
The atmospheric conditions were al
that could be desired. During tn
forenoon the sun was partially oil
scured by clouds but later the win
changed into the west and gave assul
ance of good weather for the picni
held.at Hunts upper grove In the a
ternoon. More than seventeen hundre
people we're on the grounds during th
afternoon and the program OF sport
was carried out without q mishap
any kind. The midway attraction
especially the Punch and Judy tel
and the fortune teller were well pa
ronlzed. BY far the greatest activit
prevailed at the refreshment quarter
where the sales totaled $lS7. Thel
was so much business that those WI
originally had charge were owe
whelmed and volunteers came to the
assistance
Notwithstanding the rough diamor
the baseball game between the nil
of the Eagle Athletic club of Nor
Adams and the Bennington Amateur
was an excellently played contest Il
visitors winning by score of to
A team Of girls from Camp Avalon
Lake SALISBURY, although they h,
previous experience In the game we