The July 15th, 1926 Redding Herald told this account of the Redding Celebration that was held in July of 1907. It was reprinted from an early paper, the Redding Register.
According to the Redding Register of July 11th, 1907, published by J.W. Howe, Redding had an ideal day and a very successful celebration that year.
An elaborate celebration was not planned, but about $20 was raised and was used to furnish absolutely free entertainment for those who came. Genuine lemonade was furnished free.
It was estimated there were from 500 to 700 people in town in the afternoon.
The events of the afternoon started with a parade, one of the biggest features, consisting of one spring wagon full of clowns and boys with false faces on, followed by one boy fully masked trotting behind. This parade circled the park twice to the delight and amusement of all.
Following we give a list of the winners of the races and contests as taken from the Register:
Boys race, Claud Main.
Girls race, Faye Jarman.
Fan Mens’ race, R.L. Hash.
Lean Men’s race, E.O. Hoover.
Throwing ball, Mrs. J. Fattig.
Shot Put, S.P. Baird.
High Jump, J.W. Howe.
High kick, Jess Baird.
The tug of war was between the country and town and was quite exciting. There were five men in the country team and seven in the town team. For a moment, the town held the country, then the fun commenced. We never knew that day where D.M. Rich’s sympathy lay, whether with the town or country, but he decided it for us. He was standing by the country team cheering them to greater efforts, but when he saw the town team was holding them, he could stand it no longer, but swung onto the rope and pulled like a Turk. We never will believe it was fair, but Dave seemed to be in high glee. The match was finally called without a decision of who won.
J.W. Ullery was in charge of the cannonading. A purse of almost $5 was made up for him during the day and he set off about 25 pounds of dynamite. Complaint was made by some of the ladies because the concussion was so great that it jarred the plastering loose from the ceilings.
Chas Hatton and Marion Powell of Blockton, who were supposed to be dead sure shots on the croquet court, were defeated by Benny Riling and Ora Anderson.
In a hotly contested game of ball at Thomas Park, the afternoon of July 4th, the married men defeated the single men by a score of 11-10. A large crowd witnessed the game and rooted long and loud for their favorites.
G.M. Jennings did the twirling for the married fellows and was caught by J.W. Howe. Ora Anderson occupied the box and John Arneal caught for the single fellows. Both batteries put up a good strong game and did not have much cause for complaint of the support received.
The lineups were given. Around 300 people attended the game. The piece concluded:
They had fireworks at night, some balloons were sent up, and thus ended one of the good old time celebrations.
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