Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1922-10-19
Wednesdays
CELEBRATION
WAS BIGEVENI

In spite of evil auguries as to wea
ther which preceded it, Wednesday
dawned fair and just chilly enough
to be bracing. 1t was fine day fol
the Bridge Day Celebration which haC
been heralded far and wide at which
Wisconsin Rapids and Wood County
were to signalize the completion OF
the new concrete and steel bridge an6
Of forty-four miles of concrete road
way in Wood County.
The crowd began TO gather early in
the forenoon and continued to grow
Everyone in the vast threng that wit
messed the christening of the bridge
by the Bridge Queen, Mary Heron
and the other formalities of the day,
seemed to be having a good time.
The parade, consisting of beautiful
ly decorated floats and of road build
ing and maintaining equipment, start
ed from the East Side Market Square,
passed down First street north and
across Grand Avenue Bridge, as it is
now officially designated, up Grand
Avenue to the ST. Paul station, then
back and up Oak and Fifth streets to
the School Grounds. The Bands from
Wisconin Rapids and Port Edwards
and the National Guard units from
the three cities led the parade and it
was altogether an inspiring and credi-
table exhibition.
Before a large crowd and among
appropriate surroundings Louis Fritz
and Cora Danielson were married by
Justice of the Peace w. HI. Gets.
From the fair grounds east of the
Lincoln High School, where the cere-
mony was performed, the wedding
party went to the Hotel Witter where
they partook of the dinner which was
presented by the Hotel management.
The brides cake was specially pre-
pared by Frank Fuji, japanese chef
of the Dixon Hotel, and was only one
of the artistic features of the dinner
The bride received large number of
gifts from local business concerns,
nearly every institution in the city
having taken part in this -mannec a
the Bridge Day. marriage.
After noon the throng was enter
tanned with a concert at the grounds
by the bands, after which the Flying
Circus of three aeroplanes held the
interest of all with thrilling stunts.
The planes dipped and glided over
head, first in close formation and
then separately. The one which from
a great height fell in 'the falling
leaf and numerous loops, turns and
dives was handled with most admira-
bic skill and drew many plaudits from
those who witnessed it.
A parachute was used in one in
stance, the man dropping from low
er wing of one of the planes and so
manipulating the cords by which he
was suspended from the parachute
that he landed in the center of the
football field This was especially
well done and gave a good view to the
hundreds who were watching the
game Of one of the most daring and
difficult feats in the field of aeronau-
tics.
The football game between Marsh
field and Wisconsin Rapids High
Schools was witnessed by crowd
which packed closely up to the ropes
on all sides of the field, and was
hard fought and interesting game
The score was 25 to 0 but this fails to
indicate the whole thing. Most of the
time was devoted to hard work in the
field and scoring was not rapid ex-
cept the third quarter. when three
touchdow,ls and one goal were regis
tered. Big gains by runs made by
Donald Hougen, local quarter back,
and the skillful drop-kicks for goal
made by Mason were the spectacular
features of the game.
Of the many people who watched
the display of fireworks in the evening
not one will attempt to deny that it
was most unusual and beautiful
sight. The variety of lights and col
orful effects was such as has not often
been witnessed in this country and
probably never was in this section of
Wisconsin before.
The order and decorum of the day
were broken by very few instances of
theft, drunkenness or disorder of any
kind. The dance in the evening drew
q large and for the most part con-
genial crowd. Few celebrations OF
any kind have ever been observed with
betetr good feeling and less bad taste
left in the civic mouth. than this one
fVTTFI, FElIIC OTTT.