08/07/2026
Our tradition of celebrating July 4th in Brant Lake is not new!
June 1892 THE FOURTH AT HORICON
Preparations Completed for a Grand Celebration
All arrangements are now completed for the grand celebration to be held under the auspices of the Hill View Agricultural Society, on their grounds at Horicon on the Fourth of July. An entertaining program has been arranged and all that is now required to guarantee success is pleasant weather and good attendance. Of the latter there is little doubt. The celebration has been extensively advertised and no other towns in the immediate vicinity have proved for an observance of the day, a large crowd is expected from adjoining towns.
The day will be ushered in by a sunrise salute of forty-five guns. In the forenoon there will be a peg race for horses owned in Horicon for a purse of $15, divided $10 and $5; ox race, purse $10 and $4 Two-year old race. Purse $10, $6 and $4, half mile heats, four to enter, three to start, entrance fee 10 percent pf purse. There will also be a greased pig which will be the prize for the one who catches him.
In the afternoon E. Riddell, John Wells and John Mills and Dick Bolton will participate in a named race for twenty per cent of the gate receipts and a purse of $10 furnished by themselves, each one putting in $10. The purse will be divided into three monies, fifty, thirty and twenty per cent. The race is the subject of much local interest as the result will also decide an unfinished race held last winter on Brant Lake, in which the same horses contested.
A solid silver cup, elegantly engraved, will be presented by D.B. Friedman, of New York to the winner of a running race, half mile heats, best three in five, open to horses owned in Horicon, Chestertown and Bolton. No entrance fee will be required.
The Citizens’ Military band of this place has been engaged to furnish music and they will render a choice program during the day. An admission fee of twenty-five cents will be charged, children under twelve years of age, ten cents, if accompanying their parents, free.
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