100-year-old poster provides window into past celebrations
The New Prague Times received a poster this week announcing the events of the city’s 1917 Fourth of July celebration.
The historical poster was sent by Maureen Fitzgerald Hunt of Blair, NE, to a friend, Mary Zard. Hunt is a daughter of the late Judge John and Mary Fitzgerald, longtime New Prague residents. The poster notes that the keynote speech for the day would be delivered by the Hon. John Moonan of Waseca. Judge Moonan was an uncle to Judge Fitzgerald.
The poster was framed, with an inscribed plate reading “Presented by Hon. John Moonan Fitzgerald, Judge of District Court, 1963-1993.” Mary Zard brought the poster into the office this week, saying she had assured Hunt it would make its way to the proper hands. She said Maureen believed the plaque was intended for the New Prague Area Historical Society, of which her mother was a member. Judge Fitzgerald died in 2008 and Mary Fitzgerald died in 2013. Maureen found the poster in a box of her mother’s possessions.
According to the poster, a “Big Street Parade” was held at 9:30 a.m. The poster advertised a long list of sports and races. The parade included the Marshal of the Day, Fife and Drum Corps, Bands, City Officials, Fire Department, Commercial Club, Societies, Autos and the public. Aprogram with music and an address from Mayor Soukup preceded Moonan’s address, and more music followed.
The poster also listed....
To see more on this amazing find pick up the June 29, 2017 print edition of The New Prague Times.
