Were you even a bit curious about the 1903 Harbor Parade and Fireworks? I was and on July 6, 1903 there was a very long and extremely detailed report of the, “Brilliant Parade of Illuminated Launches in River Followed by Fine Pyrotechnic Display Witnessed by Large Crowds.”

I have been an advocate of having a small boat parade for Memorial Day, Fourth of July or Labor Day as celebrated in Norwich, CT for many years. To say that the idea has been met with derision would elevate it to a higher standard than the suggestion was actually met with. Over the years I have been to a few boat parades in various towns and cities. Some parades were smaller than others but the point was the great fun the participants had planning their decorating and showing off their celebratory finery. Yes. I am saying that part of the fun and enjoyment was in the planning. The tiny basin of harbor would be a wonderful place for a small boat parade. It would take planning and coordination due to the placement of the boat launch but with a little cooperation from all parties it could be accomplished.

In 1903 “One of the most pleasing of the many features of Old Home Week in former years has been the harbor parade and it proved to be fully as popular this year. The special late trains allowed most ot the out of town visitors an opportunity to take in the evening entertainment and a large proportion remained here for that purpose. Nearly every vantage point commanding a view of the harbor was occupied by the sightseers and on the steamboat wharf and along Laurel Hill avenue and Thames Street several hundred were stationed for a good view of the spectacle. The crowds began to gather at dusk and before 8 o’clock the steamboat wharf was packed.

Excepting for a rather too bright moon, the night, with its clear air, was perfect for the affair. The launches with their glowing lights attracted much attention as they glided down the river to Thamesville, where the line was to be formed. A few rockets were sent up from the float in the harbor as well as from other parts of the city, and these with a number of fire balloons sent up from Thamesville entertained the crowd of watchers until the parade started. Tubbs Band playing on the railroad wharf added to the effect of the water carnival.

It was about 8:30 o’clock when the head of the line of launches could be seen rounding the bend in the river above Thamesville. The procession was in two divisions ad was headed by Commodore Henry G. Peck’s pretty launch. There were about twenty-five of the little crafts in line and as they slowly crept along up stream they presented a spectacle like fairy land. Each boat was trimmed with Japanese lanterns of various colors, red being the predominating shade, and hung as they were in different forms they made a most picturesque sight, swinging to and fro as the launches moved along. Some of the launch owners had fireworks on board and these added to the variety of color.

As the procession passed along the east bank of the river the main display of fireworks was begun by Expert Gerhard from the float in the midstream. They consisted of rockets with sprays or showers of various colored fire, some after bursting sending out tiny balloons or strings of changing fire, bombs with their loud reports and their discharge of showers of colored fire .. . and altogether making a very pretty show for over an hour.

The launches turned at the steamboat wharf and passed down the west side of the river to below the railroad wharf where the line was disbanded. For nearly an hour after the display of fireworks the little streamers of colored lanterns flitted about the harbor making a brilliant water carnival. At the head of the harbor was anchored ex-Mayor F. L. Osgood’s handsome yacht Tillie, decorated from bow to stern with strings of red, white and blue electric lights which extended to the mast tops.”

I absolutely agree that fireworks in our current harbor with boats going around at the same time would be dangerous but there is the day before and hours before that would be perfect. That time before could be used to promote local businesses and yes show off the available for rent and sale business properties not in the downtown but along the river itself. What better time to show off a possibility than when there are potential people milling about?

Hey! Everyone is entitled to a vision and honestly because I am not running for political office, I am not afraid to speak up and tell people about my vision for a thriving city.

Thank you for reading and sharing my history and Norwich Community blog freely with your family or friends or anyone you think might be interested or in a position to take on some of the suggested projects. Don’t hesitate to contact me for further information. I am happy to pass along anything I can. Together we can make a difference. Email comments on this blog to berylfishbone@yahoo.com View my past columns at http://www.norwichbulletin.com/section/blogs