1895

1896

The celebration continued to grow. Bicycling had become very popular, and the 1896 parade included decorated bicycles, and bicycle races in the afternoon.
   “At ten o’clock Marshall Cunningham gathered the procession near the city hall. It was led by the Bicycle Club, President O’Hair, Marshall Cunningham, and the Delano Cornet Band in their new immaculately white uniforms. Committeeman Carlin with Mr. John Steffes and Prof. C. S. Hawker followed in a carriage and the Rag-a-muffins and citizens followed. A march was made through the principle streets and over the river through Brooklyn to the beautiful grove on Breed’s hill where the exercises took place.”  (Brooklyn was the name for the city on the west side of the river, and Breed’s Hill was at the end of Buffalo street.)

(The tamarack trees were in place for the Fourth of July celebration. Kids were hired to go to the swamp north of town and cut them and put them in place.)

At the conclusion of Mr. Hawker’s address and the music by the band an adjournment was taken until after dinner. A great many people took their dinner in the old fashioned picnic way and gassed and visited with their neighbors. The five stands on the grounds did a pretty fair business and gave the people a good article of ice cream, lemonade, etc. At two o’clock the dancing began on the pavilion and was kept up until 5 p. m. The games were also pulled off on the hill and were a source of considerable amusement to those looking on. The bicycle races were the big events in the sporting line and the crowd headed by the band at five o’clock marched to River street. The first race was the fat men’s foot race. Al. Eppel, “Fatty” Reibel and Dr. Shrader entered and Shrader won easily with Eppel second. The 100-yard dash was won by Charley Coolen with Charley Sunday a close second.

   In the ladies bicycle race Miss Maggie Steffes won the 1st heat with Miss Allie Murphy 2nd, the later winning the 2nd heat with Miss Steffes 2nd. In the 3rd heat Miss Murphy again won with Miss Vinnie Chance 2nd, and Miss Steffes 3rd, thus giving Miss Murphy 1st prize, Miss Steffes, 2nd and Miss Chance, 3rd,

In the gents’ mile race the principal interest centered, there being considerable rivalry between those entered – Messrs. Geo Erickson, Enos Eppel, and Fred Lindsley. The first heat was won by Erickson with Lindsley 2nd and Eppel almost distanced. The 2nd heat was better, Erickson being followed by Eppel and he by Lindsley. This gave Erickson 1st place, and tied Eppel and Lindsley for 2nd.  Now came the tug of war to decide the tie. Each was determined to win. One must lose. It was pretty race. With heads bowed to mother earth the silent two came flying down the reach, with Lindsley was not strong enough to keep up his terrific speed and he weakened and the race was won by Eppel.
   In the two mile dash Eppel and Erickson gave another pretty exhibition of fast riding. Erickson led until within a few rods of the tape when Eppel was seen to lie down on his wheel and make a terrible dash. It landed him ahead and won the race for him. On the whole the races were good and demonstrated beyond peradventure that Delano has the tree fastest riders in the county and they stand ready to try honors with any of them.
   This ended the day’s sport and most of the people went to their homes. In the evening the firemen gave a very nice ball that was well patronized, the music being furnished as was that for afternoon by Miss Julia Steffes, Messrs. Brandser, Peterson and McDonald with an occasional “lift” from others. Everything passed off smoothly and the boys had the pleasure of adding a few dollars to their fund.”

1901

“The Fourth in Delano, like in many other places throughout the country, was greatly interfered with by heavy rains. It was raining when the first boom of the cannon ushered in the anniversary of our nation’s birth, and again at about 9:30, which left the streets in a very muddy condition and it was necessary to postpone the hour of the parade until 1:30. Promptly at that hour the parade was formed at the city hall and marched through the village as announced on the program. The conditions of the streets prevented many from taking part in the bicycle parade, also several of our merchants, who had their floats about completed, did not enter the parade on account of the threatening weather, consequently the showing was not as good as was expected nor as it would have been had the day been more favorable. The crowd was very large and took the frequent showers which occurred during the day good-naturedly. The committee on games and sports succeeded in pulling off a few of the games. The grounds were too wet for the ball game, also for the bicycle races. And as both ball teams were on the ground ready to play the executive committee thought it just to divide the purse in order to help defray the expenses of the Minneapolis team. In the evening one of the largest crowds ever seen in the city hall assembled and enjoyed a social dance, which proved the most enjoyable part of the day’s program. Following is a list of the successful contestants in the games which took place:

Barrel race for boys – Paul Machalia 1st; George Kittock, 2nd

Three-legged race – G. Johnson and John Miller, 1st; Paul Dusky and J. Sunday, 2nd

Potato face – Stephen Roth, 1st; Emil Benz, 2nd; Peter Ciern, 3rd

Standing Broad Jump – Eddie Erickson, 1st; John Miller, 2nd

Running Broad jump – Ernest Snyder, 1st; John Miller, 2nd

Hop, skip and jump – Eddie Erickson, 1st; Ernest Snyder, 2nd

Running high jump – Eddie Erickson

T. B. Rader was award 1st prize for having the best float, while Chas Conzet took 2nd

and F. E. Belden 3rd. All the floats were neatly gotten up and presented a pretty appearance.

1905

The 1905 celebration took advantage of the new brick block building on Bridge Avenue to add a new attraction.

The large, new building on Bridge Avenue, 90 x 100 feet has been secured for the Fourth of July by the Dramatic Club when a grand production of “The Deserter” will be put on. The biggest stage outside the cities is being erected and electrical effects will be produced that will greatly enhance the performance. The large stage will admit of magnificent scenic effects, the building will be comfortably seated, specially wired for electric lights and will be one of the coolest spots in town to rest after a long day of sight-seeing. The building will no doubt be filled to the doors as the attraction is one of unusual merit.”

   The celebration continued to have a grand parade, and a large program of sports contests and entertainment, including string chewing, barrel racing for boys, nail driving for ladies, a tug-o’-war, ball throwing for both men and ladies, a cake walk, horse racing, bicycle racing, and a baseball game – Delano versus Lyndale.

   It was reported that in the ladies' ball throwing contest, Edith Pett took 1st. In this event Miss Pett threw the ball 185 feet, which was considered remarkable distance for a lady to throw a ball.

   There were visitors from far and near, and the large crowd present was the most surprising feature of the day’s gathering, considering that the parade took place in a drenching rain, and the band boys were compelled to march on the sidewalks.

1912

“The Fourth of July passed off very pleasantly after it got started right, but the early hours cast a damper on the program which was not removed until about ten o’clock. It was decided not to have the parade until after dinner, so promptly at one o’clock everything started in regular order and the program was carried of as advertised with the exception that the St. Michael baseball team did not show up and at the last moment a picked-up nine battled for five innings with the Minneapolis team, the home team winning by the score of 3 to 2. The boys went into the game and played like professionals, young Berlin, who was behind the bat for Delano, putting up a remarkable game for one so young. All the boys surprised themselves and everybody else by the showing they made. Hon. C. S. Hawker. Of Buffalo, gave the oration of the day and his remarks were very interesting and instructive. Mr. Hawker is an able speaker and always delights his hearers. The games and sports were pulled off as advertised and furnished amusement which kept the large crowd in good humor for several hours. Dancing on a large platform with the Delano Military Band furnishing the music was also a pleasing feature of the celebration. The lack of floats in the parade was the most disappointing feature of the day. It seems that either the committee didn’t do its work or that the merchants were not very enthusiastic for floats. However the day’s program was nicely carried out and ended with a pleasant dancing party in the city hall in the evening which was well attended. Owing to the interference of the weather the band boys did not realize as much as was expected, but there will be sufficient to purchase suits. E. E. Bartlett had a pretty float in the parade and the band boys wish to thank him for the interest shown on the occasion, they are also are very thankful to all those who assisted them in the stands, the soliciting committee and all those who helped to carry out the program of sports, etc. If everybody continues to pull for the band it is bound to be a success.

E. E. Bartlett had a pretty float in the parade. This picture was taken on Elm avenue; the building in the background was the Episcopalian church, which was later converted into apartments, and then torn down to build the fire station addition.

A long standing tradition was a float of young girls dressed in white representing each of the states. Taken at the intersection of Elm and Second street, the Methodist church can be seen in the background.

A Masonic Lodge float from the early 1920’s:

1931

1881 Fire Engine in the 1931 Parade

The first place float was by Tautges Funeral home.

Second Place – Delano Granite Works Float

Third place in the float contest went to School District 70 (Welker School.)

1950

The Fourth of July Committee consists of representatives of local community organizations: the Delano Athletic Club, the Delano Lions, the Delano Sportsmen’s Club, the Delano Area Boy Scouts, and the Delano American Legion.