New Britain herald., 1924-11-12
EVERYBODY JOYOUS
 ON ARM|ST|CE DAY
City Responds to Spirit Of Occa.
 sion as Whistles Sound

The largest and best celebration of Armistice Day since the original one in 1918 was witnessed here yes- tcrday by crowds surpassed only by those thronging the streets on that first notable November II. Although there were few flags displayed, holiday spirit prevailed and the parade, bonfire, and community dance were all successful.
 The celebration began at o'clock when factory whistles were turned loose for several minutes, and when the factories closed down to enable their employees to participate in the celebration. The stores and other places of business closed at o'clock as the parade was getting under way, and the workers thus released so filled the streets that the parade had difficulty In passing several places.
 Captain Alfred II. Griswold was marshal of the parade, which got under way, from Franklin Square shortly after o'clock. Sergeant Michael J. Flynn and a detail of police led the way for the 1,500 who marched. The American Le- zion band furnished music for the first division, who was composed of the local national guard companies both of which turned out at ap- proximately full strength. In the second division, behind the Boys Club fife and drum corps, were Chief William J. Noble and all the fircmen off duty.
 The third division was the feature of the parade, being made up of fac tory workers. It was led by Tasillo's band of Hartford, behind which came the Stanley Workers Girls club and large delegation Of office and factory workers. The Universal band provided music for an excep- tionally large turnout of men from the Stanley Rule X Level plant, many Of whom were provided with racket-rstsing "crickets."
 A dash of color was injected by the red neckerchiefs of the Bay Scout bugle band and the Boy Scouts, who were followed by the always popular Girl Scout fife, drum and bugle corps and the Girl Scouts. A long line of children from the Sacred Heart school and several boys on decorated bicycles brought up the rear of the division.
 The Aziz Grotto fife and drum corps headed the fifth division, which was composed mainly of war veterans. Quite a. number of the world war vets were in uniform. A group of Red Cross nurses in white capes made a shrinking appearance. { Civil War veterans in automobiles l brought up the rear of the para ade. Although all these organizations the growing darkness added a new clement which distinguished yester- days affair from previous ones. Be- fore the march was completed. total darkness had fallen, and red lights were set off in the factory division, making the parade reminiscent of | the night celebration following the false report of the wars end,
 The parade went up Main street, countermarching at the northern end and returning to West Main; 1t then went through the Court of Honor into Walnut Hill park, where a huge bonfire about l5 feet high vas touched off. Young American quickly gathered closely around the pile of wood. but as the flames grew hotter the too ardent youngsters were forced back In an ever widen ing circle, The flames reached 3
 height of about fifty feet and fol
 half an hour 3 ruddy glow wa' visible from ali sections of the city
 As the fuel. which was donated
 by local merchants, began to ex' haust, several aerial bombs provided
 by the Connecticut Fire Works Co
 were set off,
 Tn the evening there was q com munity reception in the state armory