Hamilton County went all out for the Bicentennial in 1976
America celebrated its 250th birthday over the weekend as only America can. There were fireworks over Mt. Rushmore accompanied by a presidential visit, elsewhere there were high tech drone shows, TV specials, a dramatic musical light show projected on the Statue of Liberty, the image of Liberty cast upon the Washington Monuments in D.C. and much, much more. It was a testament to America’s ingenuity and drive for excellence.
But those who remember the celebration of the nation’s 200th anniversary 50 years ago in 1976 will no doubt tell you that, while that celebration may have lacked the technical sophistication of the semiquincentennial, the American spirit was very much alive and well. A look back issues of the News-Register from June and July of 1976 tells the story of communities that went all out to celebrate the nation’s Bicentennial and their own hometown spirit as well.
The first thing one notices in looking through the bound volume of ANR issues from 1976 is the difference in the paper itself. The pages themselves and the ads were larger and the News-Register was filled to the brim with news every week from every quarter of the county. In those days correspondents (known as “stringers”) in surrounding communities wrote regular columns sharing the news from Hordville, Stockham, Phillips, Hampton, Monroe, Giltner, Marquette and even across the county line in Henderson. (“Mrs. Jerry Hinrichs entertained to a birthday coffee Friday afternoon honoring Mrs. Roger Kruetz.”)
Things were beginning to change, however, as evidenced by adds such as the one from the Coast-to-Coast store advertising CB radios for one’s car at a price of $119.95.
(There was also a headline in the June 3, 1976 paper that said, “Thieves take CB radios from cars.”)
Also in early June, events leading up to local celebrations of the Bicentennial were beginning to take place. An photo in that same June 3 paper showed the unveiling of a monument and plaque in Phillips during a Bicentennial observance and noted that new playground equipment and benches had been added in the village park.
The June 10 edition of ANR heralded the news that the Aurora High School Band had been invited by the National Capitol Parks Commission to come to Washington, D.C. and give a performance on the Ellipse for the national celebration during the week of July 4. Donations poured in locally and later editions reported that the 92 band members and their chaperons had made the eight day trip to the nation’s capitol where they performed before a crowd of nearly 600.
Meanwhile, back home during June communities across the county were gearing up for celebrations of their own, with Aurora planning a full week of Bicentennial events billed as “A Week to Remember.” That county seat celebration would include a Bicentennial Style Show featuring clothing from various eras of American history, a countywide Bicentennial flower show sponsored by the Aurora Garden Club and the Florabelles Garden Club and numerous other events during the week of June 27-July 4.
Perhaps with the countywide celebration focused on the week leading up to the 4th, other local communities held their celebrations early. Hampton, of course, celebrated its Booster Days in early June with a special Bicentennial emphasis. For that event, the Hampton American Legion Auxiliary created a special Bicentennial quilt featuring depictions of historic Hampton buildings.
Then both Marquette and Hordville held their parties the weekend of June 19-20, with parades, a water fight featuring fire departments from surrounding communities, kids games, horse shoe contests and community meals. (Marquette was registered as an official Nebraska Bicentennial Community.)
Other communities held their own observances as well. For instance, Stockham held a community picnic on the 3rd which included a free outdoor movie and a “Kiddies Parade.” It appears most every town had its own official red, white and blue Bicentennial flag that was flown over a public location such as the post office.
What a week!
Aurora’s Week to Remember began on Sunday, June 27 with a Historic Trails Caravan in which participants followed a guide to historic points of interest across the county. Wednesday of that week featured a children’s parade around the square and Thursday was the night for the Aurora Firemen’s Water Fights. Aurora’s 28th Alumni Banquet was also held that evening drawing more than 300 attendees.
Friday featured a Bicentennial Art Show on the courthouse lawn followed by “A Night of Wit and Humor” presented by the Aurora Community Theatre. It was also held on the courthouse lawn and spectators were urged to bring their own seating.
Saturday at 10 a.m. was the time set for the Hamilton County Bicentennial Parade around the square. The day also featured the countywide flower show, a quilt show, a hobby show and flea market at the fairgrounds. The week also featured a beard contest and the dedication of the Plainsman Museum.
The celebration culminated on Sunday with a countywide church service on the courthouse lawn featuring music by the Liberty Belles, followed by an ice cream social. The Bicentennial Fireworks Salute sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce was to start at 9 p.m.
A week later the News-Register carried the news that the Class of 1928 had celebrated its “Gold Reunion” during the week and the paper carried a page and a half of pictures from the Bicentennial Parade.
Overall, it sounds like it truly was a week to remember and we’re sure there are still a number of our readers who have memories of that celebration. Perhaps they rode in the parade, helped with organizing one of the events, traveled to Washington, D.C. with the band or just ate too much ice cream at the social. Whatever the case, ANR would love to hear our readers’ memories and we invite you to share them by emailing newsregister@hamilton.net or by jotting them down and bringing them into our offices at 1320 K Street, Aurora.