On May 4th 1919, Sunbury held a parade to welcome their soldiers home.
The arches were passed from town to town. This set was used in Sunbury, Selinsgrove, and Lewisburg. Williamsport used a much larger set.
The parade was held "to show the appreciation of the community for every man who donned the khaki whether he wears the coveted croix de Guerre os if listed as a member of the student Army Training Corps."
The butcher shops, ice cream parlors, and grocery stores however, were to remain open until 6pm.
Floats were constructed by most of the local businesses.
The firemen were asked not to parade, as "they would detract from the showing off of various industries"
The firemen were still to participate, however they would only use drawn apparatus for the parade.
The Salvation Army held a street carnival, where tickets were sold and drawn for one person to win a ford touring car.
There were talent shows at the court house, and a "big show" on the lawn adjoining the Elks home, with "a production that would not have been misplaced in the New York Hippodome"
The large Liberty Bell replica was made by the Sunbury Converting Works for use in the Homecoming Parade. It was constructed of small blocks of wood fitted together so that the surface was as smooth as metal. The bell was then presented to the Sunbury Schools at the commencement exercises that month.
The Daily Item Ran an 8 page supplement, featuring those who served in the war. See it here:
See how other towns in the valley welcomed their soldiers home in 1919, here:
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