GREAT CELEBRATION IN MINOT ON JULY FOURTH
Sham Battle—Dewey and His Airship—Base Ball Games—Races—Band Concert—Fireworks—Mask Carnival—Outdoor Entertainments, Etc.
"Meet me at Minot, July 3, 4 and 5." This is the slogan that is now going the rounds thruout {sp} the northwestern part of the state, and it seems more than likely that 15,000 visitors will be entertained by us during those days.
The Fourth of July celebration will be especially good this year. It has been a long time since Minot attempted a celebration on the Fourth, and now that the committees have gotten down to work, it is astounding to see how well they are working.
The finance committee reports more money in sight than is actually needed, tho {sp} it will all be spent in the entertainment of Minot's guests on the Fourth.
The fireworks have been bought and there will be the finest pyrotechnic display ever seen in this city. Some absolutely new ideas in fireworks have been secured. The committee bought liberally, from a Milwaukee firm.
One of the best free attractions ever seen in this city will be the sham battle at 11 a. m. on the morning of the Fourth between Co. D of Minot and Co. E of Williston. Co. E is positively coming. It took a good deal of money to secure this attraction, but it will be worth it.
On the morning of the Fourth at sun rise, there will be a salute of seventeen guns fired. There will be many free out of door entertainments during the day, such as foot races, greased pole climbing, tug of war, sack races, and other events.
Free vaudiville {sp} specialties will be given during the day.
At 6:30 each evening during the races, a baseball game will be played between Minot and some other good team. Minot will be especially strong during those days, and the game on the evening of the Fourth will be especially fast.
The horse races will be good every day, but the best races will be pulled off on the Fourth. The automobile races will be highly interesting, also. The autos will go four miles each day.
The best attraction we will have to offer is the exhibition by Dewitt C. Dorman with his 50 hourse power Bleriot monoplane, who will fly during the afternoon, each day of the races. This event will take place at the fair grounds where the races will be held. Mr. Dorman already has his machine under perfect control, and guarantees to give a high class exhibition. Come and watch "Dewey" mingle with the skies.
The changes are that Main street will be decorated as she has never has been before. We will explain later.
On the night of the Fourth there will be a grand mask carnival on Main street. This will be the grand finale of the greatest Fourth of July celebration ever held in the northwest.
So, say to your friends: "Meet me at Minot July 3, 4 and 5 and be sure to be there for the Fourth."
Ward County Independent, 6/15/1911
