Let’s Have a Picnic on July 4th!

I don’t believe I’ve ever known anyone who didn’t like a picnic.  Saying that, I’ve abandoned my usual format this month to make an important announcement.  I speak no less of our proposal for an old-fashioned 4th of July picnic. As Americans, every year we come together with parades and picnics across our nation.  Therefore, does it not seem fitting that we hold a city-sponsored picnic in Jacksonville in keeping with this time-honored tradition?  Accordingly, your mayor, your fire department, your police department, this newspaper, and a group of very helpful citizens are hard at work planning to make this a very special day.

The picnic hours will be from noon to 3 PM – a  bring-your-own- food, kind of event.  Tables, chairs, and benches will be provided, as well as barbecue facilities for those who want to cook their burgers or hot dogs on a grill.  And . . . the city will provide the watermelons!  In addition, there will be games and events for the children.  This is an event for all… families, seniors, young  couples, old couples… even odd couples.  In short… it is an event for all the citizens who live in this most special historic place on the planet called Jacksonville.

We’ve timed this so that those who would like to see a parade in some other part of the valley may be able to do so and still come.

Also, for those who are planning on a big back-yard event at home, you still can, since our picnic ends at 3:00.  Call this picnic “lunch outdoors on a glorious summer day.”

You may come and go, so don’t worry about “being on time” or “being late.”  Just show up whenever and from wherever you are and enjoy time out with your friends, family, and fellow citizens.

The only thing I’ve left out is… where is it taking place?  Well… after much discussion and deliberation on the part of those involved, we have chosen to hold this right in the heart of town on the grounds of the old historic courthouse.  What a perfect location!  The great westward expansion was coming to an end just as this building was built in 1883.  Think what this courthouse has seen – it was here when Teddy Roosevelt implemented his anti-trust legislation.  Again when the troops went “Over There” to fight “the war to end all wars,” and then when “Johnny came marching home” when it was all over.  The “Roaring Twenties” arrived, then the crash on Wall Street which soon was followed by the Great Depression.  Then  another world war and President Roosevelt declaring the third Sunday in every May as, “I am an American Day.”  Our courthouse stood through all of this even as many of us were yet unborn.  How appropriate it seems to gather as a community under the flag on these historic grounds the day we celebrate our independence! I look forward to seeing you on July 4th at the Jacksonville Picnic.