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Any photos not otherwise credited are from the personal collection of Frank Passic, Albion Historian.
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Morning Star, July 2, 2023, pg. 6 It is great that Albion has its own fireworks each year, thanks to the donations of our area citizens, and the leadership of the Greater Albion Chamber of Commerce. This is not a new phenomenon, however. In the 1920s when the Chamber was in its infancy, they organized community celebrations too. On July 3-4, 1925 the Chamber sponsored a 4th of July Homecoming Celebration, filled with activities for the public to attend. General chairman of the event was Allen J. Wilder of the Wilder's Lumber Yard. Events on Friday, July 3 included a performance by the Albion City Band at 8:30 in the morning as they marched to the Albion College athletic field for the first baseball game. The game began at 9:30, with the official program stating, "First ball game at Albion College athletic field. Dunbar Colored Giants of Jackson vs. Albion Colored All-Stars of Albion." Munn's band from Jackson came over to participate in various events throughout the day, along with the Albion City Band. There were various races and throwing competitions for the youth of our community. Another event consisted of a greased pig contest, and a greased pole contest. There was a swimming contest at the millpond at the Haven St. bridge; I hope they swam west in the millpond, and away from the nearby waterfall. Evening events included a balloon ascension and triple parachute drop, more band concerts, a colored quartet; a colonial costume pavement dance on W. Erie St., and other features. The schedule for Saturday, July 4 included the dedication of the Grand Army of the Republic monument (the big rock with the plaque on it) in Victory Park at 1:00pm. Throughout the day there were several ball games, and more band presentations. Also happening that day was a bicycle race, a pie-eating contest, a sack race, and another encounter entitled "catch the greased pig." There was a "Fat man's race," 220 pounds and over, held at 4 pm, along with a girl's snowball contest at the same time. A balloon ascension occurred at 7 pm, followed by a band concert, concluding with fireworks at 8:30 pm from the Liberty Fire Works Company. Note: Albion was not on Daylight Saving Time, so this would be equivalent to 9:30 pm today. From our Historical Notebook this week we present the title cover of the July 3-4, 1925 program for this event, courtesy of Tom Leary, from the estate of Frances (Warner) Ray. How many of our readers would like to enter the "catch the greased pig" contest?
 July 3-4, 1925 Program for Homecoming Celebration
All text copyright, 2024 © all rights reserved Frank Passic
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