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**5Town9s celebration
the biggest ever
f
By LOU HATTER
Bappahannoek News SUIT Writer
The first Washington’s small-town atmosphere once again proved the charm, as visitors from near and far flocked to town Saturday to celebrate the Fourth of July. The consensus, from merchants, festival oi-ganizers and town residents, seemed to be that this year’s event was the largest in the town’s history.
Rain threatened by persistent clouds for most of the day held off except for a brief shower about mid-afternoon. And, at least under the trees, a gentle breeze provided relief from the oppressive humidity.
Chief Roger Roach and fire department president Gene Leggett reported that the Washington Volunteer Fire Department, sponsors of the daytime activities, had its best year ever since the event began as its nugor fundraiser of the year. Both the department’s food concessions were packed from late morning until dark.
Several of the vendors who set up booths along both sides of Gay Street said that sales were not as brisk as last year, although they felt that the size of the crowd was nearly the same. The prevailing opinion seemed to be that, were it not for the threat of rain, the crowd would have been even bigger.
Certainly, the crowd which gathered around the lake in front of Avon Hall to watch the Gilkey family’s spectacular fireworks display was the largest that veteran fireworks watchers had seen. Not only did the blankets nearly cover Courthouse Hill, they ringed the lake and were spread as well up the hill to the Carrigans’ front yard.
And spectacular the display was, although the unusually humid and heavy atmosphere provided even more thrills than
(See FOURTH, page 16)
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