July 4th Parade and Squires Tavern Open House
What a great day for the Fourth of July parade in Pleasant Valley.
The Star Band sounded great as always. Both kids and adults had a great
time and it seems as if the whole community was involved. This
year (2003) the parade had added significance for the Historical Society.
Besides participating in the parade, we welcomed friends visiting for the
event, including George Hilton, co-editor of the Barkhamsted Heritage.
The Barkhamsted Heritage, a town history published in 1976, was a
big project organized by George Hilton and Richard Wheeler. Richard
died shortly after the book was published but we were joined by his son Bruce.
At the conclusion of the parade George and Bruce signed Heritage books at
a Squire's Tavern open house event.
Left to right- Jim Fenn, Bruce Wheeler, George Hilton and Fred Warner at the conclusion
of the 2003 July 4th parade at Pleasant Valley.
Below: photos of the 2003 July 4th parade at Pleasant Valley. It was a
nice hot day!
July 4th, 2003 parade in Pleasant Valley- and the Historical Society is taking part
along with many other town organizations and citizens. On this hot day, Karen
and Noreen are happy to hit this shady spot on West River Road. The blue car
behind them carries Historical Society president Fred Warner with special guests
and old friends George Hilton and Bruce Wheeler.
Jim Fenn driving some historical wheels, with Fred Warner and special Historical
Society guests Bruce Wheeler (in back, behind Fred) and George Hilton. Bruce's
father (who died in 1977) and George put a lot of effort into producing the Barkhamsted
Heritage which was published in 1976. We are glad they did.
A walking version of the Barkhamsted Heritage ahead of the Historical Society
vehicle on West River Road.
Seems that not everyone was at the parade- a fisherman pulls in a fish under the
Pleasant Valley
bridge just before the start of the parade. Looks
like a nice cool spot.
The famous Star Band and a portion of the crowd gathering for the ceremonies at
the Barkhamsted Elementary School after the parade.
Above- During the ceremony after parade, Fred Warner (left), president of the Historical
Society, honors George Hilton (center) and Richard Wheeler (represented here by
his son, Bruce Wheeler, at right). Hilton and Wheeler were the co-editors
of the book "Barkhamsted Heritage" published in 1976 and still a very valuable reference.
Roger Behrens of the Barkhamsted Lions (the Lions sponsor the parade) honoring the
2003 Parade Marshall Francis Lattizori for his extensive volunteer work over the
years.
George Hilton, co-editor of the Barkhamsted Heritage, signs a copy of the
Heritage at the Squire's
Tavern after the parade. Also shown is
Walt Landgraf (far right) and Bruce Wheeler. The Historical Society held an
open house at the Tavern at the conclusion of the parade giving visitors a chance
to see how work at the Tavern is progressing.