EFU Picnic01

Waupaca Post

August 29, 1907

A BRILLIANT SUCCESS

The E.F.U. Picnic is Enjoyed By a Large Crowd

It was a Fourth of July celebration without the noise.

It was the largest, best natured, best behaved, happiest, and best entertained crowd Waupaca has seen for many years.

With the weather perfect, every detail of every plan was carried out without a hitch, and the visitors went home more than satisfied with the day’s outing.

The special trains from the south arrived shortly after ten-thirty o’clock, bringing nearly 1,500 people. Five hundred and nine came from Fond du Lac, 365 from Oshkosh, 100 from Kaukauna, 200 from Appleton, and about 300 from Neenah and Menasha. When the special trains left Neenah, they left 200 people on the platform who could not get aboard, many of them coming up on the regular train reaching here at 11:21. When they arrived at this city, they were met by members of the local assembly, with the Waupaca City band, and were escorted to the Dane’s Home hall, which was used as headquarters for the day. Meanwhile, large delegations from all the villages in this vicinity, and also many farmers and their families, had been driving into town, and, by the time the procession started, at noon, there were at least 3,000 visitors in the city.

Under the direction of Gus Bronson, marshal, the procession formed at noon. It was headed by the Military band of Fond du Lac, after which came the speakers and supreme officers in carriages. Then came the Fond du Lac members, 200 strong, each with a red, white and blue umbrella, making a very pretty sight. Then came the delegations from other visiting assemblies, followed by the Waupaca City band, with the Waupaca assembly, 100 strong, dressed in white trousers and caps, and dark coats. The procession was five blocks long, and took twelve minutes to pass.

Arriving at the picnic grounds, at the city park on Main Street, which had been thoroughly cleaned and prepared for the occasion, the band played a march, Rev. Webster Millar offered prayer, the Crescent Male quartet sang two selections, and City Attorney John C. Hart delivered a brief and clever address of welcome, offering to the visitors the freedom of the city and assuring them of the good will of the people.

Dinner followed, and at 1:30, Hon. C.H. Armin of Waukesha gave the address of the day. It was an eloquent effort, and those who heard it were very much pleased.

The rest of the afternoon was devoted to sports and races, and a tug of war, in which the Waupaca assembly team was successful.

In he evening, a fine display of fireworks was given on Main Street, and at 8:30 the special train pulled out, bearing upon them a very happy, well pleased lot of visitors.

The Waupaca Light & Railway Company had the biggest day in its history, carrying almost 5,000 people during the day. Considering that the traffic was handled with four motor cars and three trailers, it is certainly a remarkable achievement. No one was injured, and no one missed a train.

The visitors who went to the lakes, as many of them did, patronized the boats very extensively, in fact, it was the best day the boats have had this year.

About 500 attended the ball game and 200 the horse races. In fact, there was something doing all the time.

The members of the local committees deserve great credit for the excellent manner in which the plans were carried out, and can congratulate themselves that the affair was the most successful event of the kind ever held in the city.

The streets were decorated with banners and “Welcome” signs, in the E.F.U. colors, and nearly every store displayed a flag or bunting in honor of the event.

Waupaca people appreciated what a good band they had, when they heard it in contrast with the Military band of Fond du Lac, which is claimed to be one of the best in the state. It simply was not in it with the local boys.

During the afternoon and evening, at the picnic grounds, and at the court house square the bands gave pleasing concerts.