Kankakee Valley Post, Volume 16, Number 46, DeMotte, Jasper County, 4 October 1946 — Large Crowd Attends Homecoming Celebration [ARTICLE]

Large Crowd Attends Homecoming Celebration

Former residents of DeMotte and vicinity came from near and far to swell the already great crowds at the Homecoming held ■ on September 27 and 28, to what is believed to be the best attended event ever sponsored in this locality. The prize of five gallons of I motor oil for traveling the farthj est distance to attend was awardj ed to Paul Stevenson from Miami, Florida, who traveled a distance i of 1,500 miles. One of the main attractions of | the big, tw’o-day celebration was I the football game between De■a ' Motte and Knox High Schools on Friday evening. Although the local Indians were defeated in score, there were evidences of defeat in neither the spirit of the members of the team nor the spectators. Additional interest and color were provided by the splendid performances of the DeMotte High School Band under the direction of local music teacher, Mr. Stivers, and by the Glen Park Drum and Bugle Corps. The vice-commander of the Northern District, Mr. Morris, attended, spoke a few words and commended the local post on its advancement. A solemn and spiritual note'Was struck Saturday afternoon when approximately 60 voices from the choir of the Great Lakes Naval Training Station rendered their half-hour program of devotional music, which was very well received. The Saturday night fireworks display was excellent, though incomplete because of rain. Following this was the raffling of the many prizes, most of which had been donated by local business men and individuals who were anxious to be of assistance and prove their confidence. The distribution of the three main prizes for which tickets had been was as follows: Five new 6.00x16 tires to Ed Bierma of Wheatfield; Mix-Master to Robert Cullen of Lowell, and the rubber-tired wheelbarrow to Melvon Eaton of DeMotte. Approximately 30 additional prizes were raffled off or given as gate prizes. The Bingo Game, skill games, refreshment booths, -the excellent war souvenir display tent and many rides held the interest of the crowd in the intervening times between the above-men-tioned events. The DeMotte American v Legion Post No. 440 wishes to express its wholehearted thanks and extreme appreciation to: The Boy Scout Troop No. 57, who upheld their reputation for i willing service by aiding the Legionnaires in ’ running the con--1 cessions. The merchants and individuals who so generously donated merchandise and cash prizes. The Legiop wives and mothers and others who found the time and energy tio cook and serve food Ito their many appreciative patrons. The State ■ Police who were constantly on duty to maintain order and give protection. To Pop Rowen, who so ably manned the microphone of the public address system during the raffling off of the prizes. And to you,' the general public, ! without whom all of this would ’not have been possible. You have proved by your attendance that ■ you are willing to back your local I American Legion Post, and it is for you that the DeMotte Ameri- • can Legion Post No. 440 will try Ito make a bigger and better Homecoming an annual event — J one you will long look forward i to and well remember.