As It Were: Columbus has seen all manner of July 4 celebrations
Independence Day is a welcomed holiday for most people most of the time in Columbus, central Ohio and most of America.
It usually is a time of nice weather, outdoor cooking and remarkable neighborhood gatherings. Over the years, longtime residents of Columbus recall neighborhood celebrations all day in city parks, highlighted by youngsters' bicycle-decorating contests. In some cases, even younger children had their own contests with decorated Big Wheels. All this was complemented with food and other merriment.
In 1976, we celebrated the U.S. Bicentennial by painting most of the fireplugs in the city to resemble patriotic themes. The Red, White and Boom celebration – usually on July 3 – attracts more than a half-million people to downtown Columbus for fireworks and fun.
With all the good times we are having, one might conclude that the Fourth with this sort of celebration always has been the case.
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And the short answer is: in some ways yes, in other ways no.
As an example, let us go back 200 years and look at how Columbus celebrated July 4, 1822. It’s an interesting mixture of theology and inebriation. The Columbus Gazette told the story:
“The citizens of this town Celebrating the Anniversary of the American Independence met about 12 o’clock at the place appointed (the Acting Governor of Ohio being present for the occasion) formed procession and marched to the Presbyterian Meeting House where the services for the day were opened by a suitable address to the throne of grace from the Rev. Mr. Bigelow. A very interesting discourse was then delivered by the Rev. J. Hoge, and several pieces of music prepared for the occasion, performed by the Handel Society. After which the exercises were closed by prayer from the Rev. Mr. Burton, the procession again formed and marched to the Courthouse (on Statehouse Square) and partook of a very excellent dinner.
“Mr. Hoge’s address here referred to contained strong anti-slavery sentiments. Twenty-four “regular” and eleven “volunteer” toasts were drunk; Among the regular ones were:
“The state of Ohio, the fourth in the Union, may she be worthy of the high station to which her rank entitles her.
“The town of Columbus – may the enterprise, industry and morality of the citizens make it worthy to become the great metropolis of a great state.”
It seems that a good time was had by all in attendance.
Over the years, religion and inebriation moved more to the background, but the residents of Columbus continued to march and meet one with another. A local newspaper in 1922 commented on the changes in style and form:
“Columbus will celebrate the Fourth of July this year for the ninth time with pageantry instead of fireworks. Ten years ago … pinwheels and skyrockets was ordered out of the city by council and the peaceful pageant took its place. The 1922 spectacle is called ‘The Fat. America’ and will be shown at Ohio Field from 6:30 to 8 p.m. by 1,000 school children and others under the auspices of the city recreation department and Mr. and Mrs. J. Clarence Sullivan.”
Meanwhile, other parts of the area continued to celebrate in the more traditional way:
“In Glen Echo, parades and games in the morning and addresses in the afternoon will be topped off with a fireworks display at 8 p.m.
“Worthington will yield completely to the glamour of the old days starting with a parade at 1 p.m., will follow up with contests for young and old and a baseball game with all of the ‘phuts’ and ‘whirrs’ and ‘zurrows’ that fireworks can give.
“Other places will stage varied events. Grandview with street picnics and games in the afternoon, Westerville with a morning parade and an afternoon card of talks and events, the Columbus Country Club with games and contests of many kinds in the afternoon and Lincoln Park with the first annual outing of the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. At Walhonding there will be a barbecue under the auspices of the Walhonding Fish and Game Association, at the Rodehaver Farm. Automobiles will race at the state fairgrounds and horses at Hilliard. At Olentangy Park there will be a canoe regatta and other attractions.
“Proudest parader and elaborator of all will be Marion calmly telling the world she is 100 years old and dancing and making merry despite the fact, with President (Warren G.) Harding, native son, watching her from the seat of his home.”
The president arrived in Marion late in the evening of July 3, having driven from Washington in an 11-car motorcade with Gen. John J. Pershing and other notables, and with a stop for dinner at 8 p.m. at the Deshler Hotel at Broad and High streets in Columbus. At the dinner, Harding was thanked for his “spirit of courage,” and Florence Harding, the president's wife, was “the recipient of a floral tribute.”
The times were pleasant, America was at peace and people felt good about themselves and their country. Moments like that were worth the remembrance.
Local historian and author Ed Lentz writes the As It Were column for ThisWeek Community News and The Columbus Dispatch.
This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: As It Were: Columbus has seen all manner of July 4 celebrations