In spite of the fact that there were 48 quarts of recently confiscated champagne in the vaults of the city hall, Williamsport dedicated its new boulevard lighting system with nothing stronger than rain and music Saturday evening. Old inconsiderate Jupiter Pluvius furnished the deluge of rain while the Verdi and Repasz bands furnished an equally copious amount of music.

The celebration took place promptly at 9 o’clock Saturday evening when someone at the powerhouse of the Pennsylvania Power and Light Company threw the switch which shot the current through the new boulevard system and dispelled forever the darkness and gloom of night from the central part of the city. Coincident with the flare of light, the Verdi and Repasz bands stationed at either end of the district struck up stirring march tunes and marched up to the courthouse where the celebration sponsored by the Williamsport Merchants Association was held.

The dedication ceremonies were in the charge of Frank Patchen, Thomas Morgan, Henry Myers and other members of the merchants’ group, together with Mayor Archibald Hoagland and Councilmen Gallagher and Cohick. Mr. Patchen, speaking for the merchants’ association, complimented the citizens of bringing the boulevard lighting system into being and praised the city administration for expediting the installation. The city of Williamsport the past two years has witnessed an era of progress unsurpassed by anything in recent history, said Patchen.