Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1919-07-08
Fourth Of July Celebration
Was A Marked Success

For a genuine old-fashioned cele-
bration of Independence Day give
Ashland the credit for producing the
goods right up to the top notch, when
the citizens lay themselves out for
1t. Compare this years event with
last, when each day hearts were
wrenched with fear OF news from
the front stating that our boys had
gone up before the Hun butchers,
and every person was doing his ut
most to conserve in order that the
war could come to a speedy end, II
is NO wonder that II required an ef-
fort TO put on celebration. y But
this year! The war is ended and a
victorious peace has been declared.
Practically all the boys are home
again, and conditions are assuming
has been hard at work for a long
time, and were ready for good old
holiday, and they surely had II here
in Ashland. rf7-
Thursday was virtually spent in
getting a good start for the Fourth.
A right smart crowd gathered thru
out the morning and we're given the
glad hand of welcome by the COM
mittee in charge and the citizens
who had arranged entertainment for
the visitors. A representative bunch
Of racing fans were present at the
roundup in the afternoon, while in
the evening the crowds surged thru
the park. listening to the fine music
by the bands, tried their luck for
prizes at John Kunz's concessions
and packed the dance pavilions not
only for the sake Of the joy OF dane
ing. but TO listen to the tip-top jazzy
music OF the orchestras.
But II any one had an idea the
Fourth was going to be fizzle that
theory was exploded from the time
Old Sol sent his first smile over the
eastern rim and the Independence sa-
lutte was fired, for by that time ev-
eryone in the valley was up and do
ing, getting ready to start for Ash
land and the big celebration. BY
nine o'clock a continual stream Of
automobiles began to appear in the
city limits from all directions, while
the morning trains we're packed with
pleasure-seekers from the south and
north.
By the time the parade reached
Main street both sides were so close
ly packed with visitors that only
narrow lane was made to allow the
pageant to pass thru. This crowd
broke up after the parade had passed |
and all sought the various forms of
entertainment dearest to their hearts.
While some OF the events planned
for the entertainment Of the guests
failed to materialize, enough we're
presented to please everybody, and
the days sports passed without ac-
cident or casualties to mar the joys
of the great holiday. The roundup
took an immense crowd out to the
grounds east of the city, but the
crowds in the park were so great all
afternoon that to casual glance II
looked as If no one was missing from
that famous resort.
All gathered there in the evening,
however, for the fireworks, and
thousands Of spectators with their
cars we're packed in the park to view
the splendid pyrotechnic display.
Dancing at all the pavilions kept up
until late hour, and the hosts de-
parted reluctantly, but with the con-
seriousness that Ashland las. a host
cannot be excelled. 1t is estimated
that upwards of $4,000 people we're
in the city on the Fourth.
Saturday was practically repe-
tition of the preceding days. Many
people from a distance had come to
spend the entire three days, cele-
bration and remained over until the|
closing events on the last day. 9th I
ers came for just one day of cele-
so that while the crowd was I
not so large as those Of. Friday
whole lot of people spent the day /
here. and remained over for the fire. J
works and dancing In the evening.
With the exception Of the celebration
Of 1916 this is considered the banner
celebration and roundup OF the
Rogue River valley.