Lucius Beebe Memorial Library, Wakefield, Mass.

Title

Wakefield Park, 1894

Description

"Wakefield Park, known as the Common, was the site of sporting, social and musical events on Settlers' Day, May 28th, the second of three consecutive days set aside to celebrate the Town's 250th anniversary. According to the Proceedings of the 250th Anniversary of the Ancient Town of Redding, 'dynamite salutes and the ringing of bells announced to sleepers that Settlers' Day was on...Tents and booths arose as if by magic in the park and vacant lots in the center of town. Fakirs, refreshment vendors and souvenir[sic] were seen and heard on every hand.' The day included a parade and visits to historic sites, as well as a concert on the bandstand at 1:30 p.m. that featured the Salem Cadet Band. The games began at 2 p.m. and included a one-mile race, 100-yard dash, boys' and men's bicycle races, tug-of-war between Wakefield and Veterans' teams, three-mile race, pole vault, three-standing jumps, a boys' doughnut race, running high jump, a dory race, and an event called running hop, step and jump. Most winners received silver cups or other silver articles. Cash prizes of $1 and $2 were awarded to the winners of the doughnut race and the boys' 100-yard dash. The winning team of the tug-of-war contest, the Veterans', won a $20 cash prize. A baseball game was held at 4 p.m., with a rowing regatta at 5 p.m. The Salem Cadet Band gave another 'fine orchestral performance from the Pagoda' beginning at 7 p.m., followed by pyrotechnics at 8:15 p.m. 'Before the delighted eyes of great crowds of witnesses flashed out a dazzling display of every kind, including colored lights, mines, rockets, Roman candles, bombs, shooting stars, and fiery serpents.' The schedule of events included a curfew at 9:30 p.m."

Image from the Wakefield Municipal Gas and Light Department annual calendar, 2015

Photo courtesy of the Wakefield Historical Society.

Contributor

Institution: Lucius Beebe Memorial Library

Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department (Wakefield, Mass.)

D'Onofrio, Jayne M.

Coverage

Massachusetts--Middlesex (county)--Wakefield

Wakefield Common (Wakefield, Mass.)

Date

1894

Format

image/jpeg

Publisher

Wakefield, Mass. : Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department

Subject

Bandstands

Anniversaries

Type

still image

Photographs

Original Format

1 picture: b & w

Extent

25 x 20 cm.