Singing in the rain

On Sunday, July 4 the Jasper County Historical Society commemorated the centennial of the dedication of the General Milroy statute in Milroy Park with a small program. It got underway with a small parade from the corner of Austin and College to Milroy Park. The picture below shows pretty much the entire parade.

After the parade reached the park, there were several speeches. Everyone stood for the pledge of allegiance to the flag.

Midway through the speeches the rain started. Ms Risner, who did much of the work organizing this event, wanted me to inform everyone that the rain did not dampen the spirits of the spectators or participants. It was actually pretty refreshing because the day was hot and humid.

And the band played on--the rain did not stop a short recital by the Rensselaer Central High School band.

Some people had the foresight to bring umbrellas. 

Maybe you can see the rain in this short video:

Next on the program were some Civil War songs by the Broussards. By this time the rain had stopped and the sun had returned, but those umbrellas worked just as well in blocking sunbeams as blocking rain drops. Meanwhile the Civil War reenactors posed for pictures.

The crowd was small, probably a bit over 100 people. That is pretty good considering that nothing free was being given away.

Last to make her appearance was Mary Milroy (aka Missy Ahler), the wife of General Milroy, who told the crowd what her husband was doing in Virginia.

After the event, I stopped by the almost empty Brookside park and the almost empty LaRue Pool. What were people doing this weekend? Did a lot of people leave to attend the Fourth of July programs in area towns?

My kids remember watching the fireworks at the fairgrounds from Brookside Park. How many years ago was the last one? There are plenty of fireworks being set off in Rensselaer, but I do not know where the best vantage point would be to view them. How would it look from north of town?