123 YEARS AGO: The ‘Glorious Fourth’ at Bakersfield

This article was reprinted from the July 5, 1902, edition of the Bakersfield Boomerang. ---

Lots of illegitimate whiskey was circulated on the Fourth at Bakersfield, but only served to make the crowd good humored. 

The “Glorious Fourth” has come and gone. Two thousand people thoroughly enjoyed themselves at Bakersfield, the day being an ideal one. 

As usual, the Program was a failure, there being no speaking, singing or recitations.

The march was headed by C. A. Langston in an “Uncle Sam” suit and C. T. Brown in his tin born. 

A number of hot air balloons were sent up during the afternoon, and these with a bluff at fighting made by two young men from Howell County, constituted the entire free entertainment. 

Six lemonade stands and four swings did a rushing business from early in the morning until late in the afternoon. 

The crowd was the largest ever seen here, and we are satisfied that there was at least two thousand people on the grounds during the day.