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PART TWO - HISTORY OF THE GRAND COULEE DAM AREA - SUMMER OF 1976
1976
Reflections, what a golden word . . .
Storing each treasured thing:
Old memories held within the heart
Of winter days and spring.
Reflections, what a precious word . . .
On strands of living gold
We gather our treasured memories
To cherish and to hold.
Copied from ALASKA SOURDOUGH COOKIN'
Copyright, 1976, no author listed.
Donated by Edith Alling.
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THE GRAND COULEE DAM AREA BICENTENNIAL ASSOCIATION
HISTORY is a "fragile" story many times . . believed by some to be the true record of events or happenings of the time period . . disbelieved by others who might say, "That's not the way it really was!" A historian, therefore, will be hard pressed to exactly duplicate everyone's memories, and can only do her best.
As the Bicentennial year of 1976 began, Americans all over the nation were wanting to rediscover and renew old ideals and truly celebrate with lasting memorials the 200th Birthday of the longest experiment in social democracy.
Of course, there were celebrations of a lighter nature with hot dogs, hamburgers, pink lemonade, cotton candy, folk festivals, barbecues, etc., in many towns and cities. Individuals thought up their own "celebration" with one man even rolling a watermelon from Stateboro, Georgia, 766 miles to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as his particular way of commemorating the Nation's Bicentennial.
Naturally there were speeches. Many speeches!! Some appeared to drone on and on while others evoked thoughts which would live forever, elevating and enriching the minds of listeners, and creating in them a deep sense of purpose.
Perhaps because every other community in the United States seemed to be planning ways to celebrate the 200th Birthday of the United States of America, early in January, 1976, twenty five civic minded people from the Grand Coulee Dam area met in the library at Lake Roosevelt High School to discuss community activities for the coming year which would adequately commemorate the Bicentennial. Suggestions were made as to possible projects and activities at this meeting and during later meetings, which would be sponsored by the Bicentennial Association. Some were water-oriented, some pertained to arts and others covered sports, youth activities, and those involving the entire community.
On January 30, 1976, Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Secretary of State, for the Washington Territory Festival Association" whose purpose was to be "for the advancement of the communities in the Grand Coulee Dam Area, specifically to celebrate the United States Bicentennial in 1976, and to work for further community advantages therefrom." These Articles were also filed with the Grant County Auditor, on February 6, 1976.
An application was submitted March 26, 1976, by the Towns of Coulee Dam, Grand Coulee, Electric City, and Elmer City, for National Recognition as a Bicentennial Community. The application's thematic coverage pertained
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to: "Horizons '76; and Festival '76". Various proposals for projects and goals had been defined and the list included:
- Preparation of a time capsule, to be placed in a permanent monument or water fountain
- Construction of a permanent band stand
- Development of an art center
- Fourth of July Celebration - Fireworks and/or community picnic
- Planting of trees in each community on Arbor Day
Two months after submitting the application, an official designation dated May 26, 1976, was received from the American Revolution Bicentennial Administration. Four specially designed flags, representing each community in the Grand Coulee Dam Area, were presented to city officials in a ceremony held on the front steps of Columbia School in Coulee Dam at 12:00 Noon, on Saturday June 12, 1976. The flags were from the American Revolution Bicentennial Committee for "outstanding activities in presenting the Bicentennial Celebration".
On Arbor Day, April 14, 1976, tree plantings were accomplished in Electric City, Grand Coulee, Coulee Dam, and Elmer City, with appropriate ceremonies involving the Mayors and citizens of each town, and members of the Bicentennial Association.
The sale of "booster buttons" began on April 22, 1976, with volunteer salespersons approaching people on the streets or in places of business to encourage them to sponsor the Community Bicentennial projects through the purchase of a large $2.00 button. This was only one of the various money making ideas. There were sales of baked goods, bumper stickers, and other items including old fashioned bonnets. Donations of money were made by the Grand Coulee Chamber of Commerce, the Coulee Dam Chamber of Commerce, and other interested organizations and individuals.
On April 29, 1976, the Grand Coulee Dam School District presented a "Bicentennial Salute" in the gymnasium of Lake Roosevelt High School in Coulee Dam. The program consisted of dances, music, and talks by students and involved all children from the first grade through high school. Judging from the size of the audience, every parent of a school child was present as well as many others. So it was, indeed, a great official beginning for the area's Bicentennial celebration.
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Early in May the community celebrated its annual "Colorama" which consisted of a rodeo preceded by a parade. Probably the most outstanding float was created by one of the members of the Association and consisted of many American flags -- some stationary and others revolving. It was definitely a patriotic creation, most appropriate for the Bicentennial and as it appeared in parades in other communities, it won praise and approval in each area.
On Memorial Day, May 30, 1976, one of the most impressive and colorful ceremonies took place. Spring Canyon Cemetery was the scene of the dedication of the "Aisle of Flags". After many weeks of preparation some sixty eight flags were dedicated by those participating. As each name was called out, a member of the family or friend of the deceased stepped forward, saluted, and stood at attention. Members of veterans groups were included in the ceremony. The Aisle of Flags was presented on July 4, 1976, and will be seen again when patriotic or national holidays are observed.
My parents and grandparents, and several
other relatives are buried at Spring Canyon.
-- Cousin Sam
During the weekends of June 12 and 13, and June 19 and 20, 1976, an Arts and Crafts Festival was held. The first weekend, the Festival was held at Columbia School and the second weekend the Festival was presented in an appropriate area in Grand Coulee. Handmade jewelry, art work, and other craft items were in abundance and most of them were for sale at reasonable prices. To bring together and produce two weekends of successful festivals was a real tribute to the hard work of those in charge of the project.
From the beginning, great interest had centered around having an Old Fashioned Fourth of July Picnic. It was decided to hold the picnic at 2 o'clock in the afternoon on Greene Field in Coulee Dam, and then have after-dark fireworks from atop Grand Coulee Dam. Both events proved most successful and involved the entire area. Cooperating organizations provided a program, planned games, and presided over numerous concession stands where soft drinks, cotton candy, hot dogs, lemonade, etc., could be purchased. It was a beautiful hot day and the evening was perfect for the thousands who jammed every available location from which to view the fireworks which were made even more spectacular by being shot off from the top of Grand Coulee Dam. A great amount of time, work, and expense had been involved in first obtaining permission to have a fireworks display on the dam. A contract agreement had to be made with a fireworks display company, liability insurance was a necessity, and the services of a licensed pyrotechnician had to be obtained. With the limited budget available, great appreciation is due those in charge of the excellent forty-five minute, 132 shot, display.
Besides those directly connected with the Bicentennial Association, other organizations and individuals helped greatly to promote the continuing observance of celebration through the year. The schools
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had tree plantings with appropriate ceremonies. One school planted a garden featuring red, white and blue tulips. Another presented a program where the students selected a famous American person, researched background, wrote a script and prepared authentic costumes to wear. A play was presented, titled: An Evening at the White House. At another school 298 students ran a total of 1800 miles, representing the many miles the Pony Express travelled to spread news. High School students helped with the sale of the Booster Buttons and the combined schools celebrated Bicentennial Week with Open House, art displays and the Bicentennial Salute Program.
Churches in the communities have put on patriotic programs of music and plays. The local Federated Women's Club had a speaker from Old Fort Spokane, and a talk and display of historical dolls, dressed authentically as President's First Ladies. Other organizations were privileged to hear and see the same programs. Old poetry and songs were sought out and published each week in the local paper to bring back waves of nostalgia, especially to people old enough to appreciate them.
A Library in the area exhibited two Bicentennial flag arrangements -- one with forty-eight different flags. 4-H Clubs took part in Arbor Day tree planting ceremonies and many other individuals, either singly or in groups, contributed much time and effort to the communities' celebration of the Bicentennial.
In 1958 a history book was compiled of the Grand Coulee Dam Area. This is being entirely reprinted and updated to the present time by a Committee of dedicated people.
As of this date, the summer of 1976, the bandstand which is to be a permanent structure is soon to be built in a small park in Grand Coulee near the north end of Banks Lake. Later on, probably around Thanksgiving, a time capsule will be placed under a sundial and made part of a permanent monument. This will perhaps be located near the statue of President Franklin D. Roosevelt overlooking Grand Coulee Dam. The capsule is to contain a record of the events of this Bicentennial Year and is not to be opened for 99 years.
It is not planned, nor even conceivable that the inspiration and creative imagination of those connected with the Bicentennial Association and other civic-minded individuals will com to a "work stoppage" now.
Mrs. Wayne Chastain, Historian
Grand Coulee Dam Area
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