Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1922-07-05
FOURTH OF JULY
Ellsworth Has Big Celebration with
a Full Days Program

Ellsworth's big day is over.
Where the streets were thronged
yesterday with crowd of merry
makers, to-day finds them strangely
silent and the ordinary routine of
BUSINESS filing the day. But few
TIM eeaieces of >firecracker paper and
TIE stiHmpty cartridges are visible
reminders of yesterdays fun. Even
fakirs booths are dismantled, and 4
peaceful atmosphere pervades the
street. But, deep in the hearts OF
those who attended yesterdays cele-
bration is the realization that it was
the very best in years. Not so much
it's program, for there were num-
Der of minor breaks in it's schedule,
but the genuine feeling of merry
making that held the crowd.
The night before was not as noisy
as usual. The evenings rain slight
ly dampened the fun Of the younger
boys, and even though the streets
were somewhat noisy throughout the
night, there was not the usual be
fore the Fourth" fun-making. But
the rain may have helped to great
extent in holding down the excite
ment and fire scare, for only once
was the department called out, and
then no alarm was sounded. Few
knew of the start of fire at the
old American house ruins, where d
fire was started among the rubbish
and boards still remaining. 1t was
soon out, and no damage was done.
This celebration, under the aus
>pices of the board of trade, assisted
by members of the Boston University
summer school, was a grand success
in every detail. Threatening rain
may have kept many from coming to
the city, but those who came en-
joyed wonderful time, and have
the remembrance of happy get-to-
gether 1t was one of the largest
and best celebrations ever held in
Hancock county, and from early
morning until late Tuesday evening,
there was a crowd on the streets.
The crowd gathered early, in spite
of the mornings rain, and at eight
O'Clock the cars began to crowd the
streets and unload their passengers
on the side streets. Traffic on Main
street at times was so congested that
everything was at a StandStlll, de-
spite the efforts of extra police and
the cooperation of the State high
way policeman who is stationed in
this city.
The main street presented rather
splendid appearance with it's
crowds and automobiles and booths.
Just where the crowd came from is
a question. but there must have been
tof t1,1
rounding towns of the county. The
stands and concessions were of the
usual order, and offered various
prizes and small gifts. The hawk
ers did a thriving business, and be-
fore mid-afternoon more than one
stand had entirely sold out and TAX
en- down it's booth.
The program for the day started
promptly at with the ringing of
bells, heralding the arrival of the
Fourth. The early morning sports
were delayed and many omitted be-
cause of a misunderstanding or prev
alent belief that the morning rain
would hinder the celebration. This
was especially true of the log race
which was to have been held on the
IiNoI, IuC GILL anus AoHIAS W ohO '"
up.
The minor sports were witnessed
by an enthusiastic crowd that gath
cred around to watch the fun. More
than one youth was helped by some
eager supporter on the sidelines.
The greased-pole climb was held
near the fountain on State street,
and the crowd greatly enjoyed the
efforts of the youngsters to reach the
top of the pole and get the SIS note
pinned to the top. Little Harry
Watts of Ellsworth was the lucky
boy, detaching the note at the very
top of the pole. And there were
many other novelty races equally as
interesting and fun-provoking. The
pie-eating contest was not long in
drawing the crowd to center Main
street, where long string of boys
was busily trying to win the prize.
And the potato race, with the mix
up and fun as the, committee tried to
straighten out the quandary caused
by over-zealous spectators who urged
the small boys to overlook ground
rules.
The major sports were for the old
err boys and men, and many of the
summer school boys were entered
and came ont winners The daShaS