August 27, 1926
Immense Crowd Witnesses Fireworks Display at Park

Fully 30,000 gathered at Memorial Field last evening to enjoy the fireworks and band concert which were features on the program incidental to the closing of the annual playground season. The estimate was made by Frank Heller, superintendent of the park and was corroborated by Councilman George, superintendent of parks and public property, who said he had never seen anything like it before.

Every available foot of parking space was used, and hundreds of motor cars were unable even to gain admission to the park.

Thousands stood for an hour or more in front of the new band pavilion and enjoyed a concert given by the Repasz Band, led by John Hazel.

By 10 o’clock the crowd had reached such proportions that several of the roadways in the park had to be roped off so the people could find a suitable to stand and enjoy the display. The large field surrounding the stand where the fireworks were to be set off was a mass of people. Even across the road and into the woods where picnics are held it was the same story of standing room only. Never in the history of the park was there ever such a large and good-natured crowd as there was last evening.

Promptly at 10 o’clock a large, 12-inch bomb exploded high in the air. This was the signal to the large crowd present that an elaborate pyrotechnic exhibition was ready to be set off. The features of the display were, “Niagara Falls” and the “American Eagle” pieces. . These were followed by displays of roman candles, thee, four and six-inch bombs, parachutes and spinning wheels. The bombs sent up into the air could be heard plainly throughout the western part of the city.