One would think Oneonta would be abuzz with activity and a destination for America’s 150th celebration in 1926.
It wasn’t. There were activities, but generally they were low key. Advertisements in The Oneonta Star around the Fourth included major celebrations planned in Delhi and Morris.
Like the present year, it was a long weekend around the holiday, and Delhi had made big plans accordingly, as The Star of July 6, 1926 reported, “Delhi today (5th) entertained the largest crowd ever within its boundaries: it was conservatively estimated that 15,000 persons were here, 1,603 of whom participated in the longest and most complete parade ever held here.
“The occasion was the county picnic and field day of the Gleason Post 190, American Legion, of this village, with the Farm Bureau uniting. Steady streams of cars began coming in by the various routes early in the morning and continued for several hours, when somewhat of a letup was noted, only to have the visitors again begin to pour in as evening approached.
“The program was carried out to the letter; no accidents were reported; the fireworks were elaborate and pleased spectators greatly. The roads on both sides of the river for two miles were lined solidly with parked cars of persons who either couldn’t get their machines on the grounds or who preferred to witness the spectacle from a distance.
“Oneonta was well represented, the American Legion, Company G, Company G band and the V.F.W. drum corps being present as organizations and participating in the parade, the band giving a concert at 4 o’clock in the afternoon.”
Morris also celebrated on the Fifth, as an advertisement boasted “A Real Ball Game” between Hartwick and Morris, and evening street dance in front of Elmore’s Feed Store, and music all day by the New Berlin Band and in the evening by the New Berlin Orchestra.
Where did that leave Oneontans who chose to stay close to home? According to The Star of July 3, the big day was also on July 5, and “E.C. Damaschke of the Oneonta D. & H. team has been able to secure the Elmira A.C. nine, one of the fastest organizations in that city, for the game here Monday afternoon, beginning in Neahwa park at 3:30 o’clock. A real good ball game seems assured and Mr. Damaschke promises that if baseball fans are looking for entertainment Monday, they can do no better than to pick a seat in the Neahwa park grandstand.
In the evening in Oneonta, an event was somewhat exclusive, but as The Star of July 6 also reported, “One of the happiest events at the Oneonta Country club since it was established was the dance for the younger and the little folks last evening arranged by Mrs. David H. Mills, chairman of the entertainment committee.
“Members and parents of the little folks in goodly numbers took to the club a supply of sparklers and fireworks and for an hour or more there was a pretty display, the bluff affording an excellent spot for making an exhibit of the kind and the pleasure of the little folks especially being a delight to all, the sight of a dozen or more little misses dancing about the lawn in front of the clubhouse with sparklers in either hand being pretty indeed.
“From 8 to 11 o’clock the Bon Ton orchestra played dance music and the floor was thronged with dancers from six years to sixty and all enjoyed it keenly. During the evening ice cream and cake and other refreshments were served by Mrs. Simpson and withal the party resulted in many expressions that another year the event should be repeated with the possibility that a fund could be secured for the purchase of a more extensive fireworks display.”
While Oneonta may have been mellow for its Independence Day in 1926, locals were looking forward to upcoming events in July. John Philip Sousa and his Band were set to perform at The Oneonta Theatre on July 9, and locals were buying tickets for the Redpath Chautauqua beginning July 23.
As seen earlier this week in The Star, Oneonta will be very active for America’s 250th birthday, and over four days will include a parade, fireworks, vintage baseball, and a Chautauqua-like event, among others. Lots of details available at Facebook: Oneonta250.
On Tuesday, a story of women and buildings around Oneota in June 1976.