River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1920-06-03
White Way
Celebration Vas
A Grand Success
Monster crowd; Good Weather;
Fine Pr RIM; No Accidents.

every feature of the Homecoming
and White Way Opening celebration
last week Wednesday proved a grand
success, and there wasn't an accident
to mar or mark the day.
River Falls owes DIR. Dawson and
the boys of his command hearty vote
of appreciation for pulling off the
best celebration this section of the
state has ever known, and in doing it
iE such thoroughly efficient manner.
Although the crowd far exceeded
the most liberal prophesies, Lieut..
Dawson and his soldiers took care OF
all in manner that gave everyone
splendid opinion of the city of River
Falls.
The crowds began to arrive early
in the morning, and by nine o'clock
Main street and the stores, which re-
manned open until IL o'clock, were
crowded with people, while the park
ing of cars had filled the side streets
and was edging back onto the resi-
dence section in every part of town.
The citizens showed a splendid spirit
of hospitality in this respect, not on
ly inviting out-of- town friends and
strangers alike to park cars about the
homes, but to use their yards for pic
nicking and rest, and offering whatev-
er conveniences might be required.
1t is variously estimated that there
were from fifteen to twenty thousand
people in the city that day. No one
would have any clear idea of the
number of visitors without having
made trip covering practically every
street in town, for there was hardly
any available space not taken up by
cars or picnic parties. Glen Park was
also a popular place during the day.
Among the visitors were several
committees representing towns which
are planning to pave their main
streets, and all were most favorably
impressed, not only with the pave
ment, but with this excellent way Of
celebrating its completion.
The days entertainment opened
with a concert by the River Falls
band down on the street about $3.50.
A little later the air-ships arrived,
circling over the city, performing
some stunts and then alighting over
in the race track encl6sl 2, where the
passenger planes were kept busy dur
ing the remainder of the day. They
also pulled off sore exhibition flights,
with stunts, which delighted the big
crowds.
The speech by Senator Wilcox was
well received, and his sincere express
sions of true Americanism, together
with his clear grasp of the problems
of the day, gained him much popular
ity among his hearers. At the race
track w. I. Nolan entertained the
crowd between races with his well
known delightful brand of humor.
The races and ball game were fine,
and held the interest of all through
out. A storm threatened just at the
close of the race program, driving
many away just before one of the
most thrilling of the races was run,
in which Miss Mildred Pomeroy, aged
g. on her speedy pony ''Trixy,' won
the girls pony race, the most ex-
citing race of the day. The results
of the races and a write-up of the
ball game appear elsewhere in this
paper.
The pavement dance, which closed
| the days festivities, was great
success. 1t is estimated that over
5000 people were dancing at one
time. The big band from Minneapolis
furnished grand music for the affair.
Main streets new lighting system,
| the White Way, with its twenty-one
lamps through the center Of the wide
pavement, is beautiful and was high
| ly praised by all.
The staging of this celebration was
large undertaking, and the major
credit for it's success is to be awarded
to DIR. Dawson, who directed it all,
and who took the responsibility for
every feature. He was given splend-
id support in everything by the bus
inessmen of the city, who, with the
boys of Co. "a" deserve { rich share
In the thanks of this community for
providing splendid entertainment
and for giving this city grand boost.