The Susanville Volunteer Fire Department went all out to put on a two-day grand Fourth of July celebration for 1916. The festivities began at 9:30 a.m. on Monday July 3 with a band concert with the music provided by the Westwood Orchestra. This was followed by horse races, foot races, more band concerts, a boxing match topped off with an outdoor evening dance.
The activities kept coming the next day. There were firemen’s competitions between Alturas, Susanville and Westwood. There were more boxing matches, baseball games, band concerts with a parade that afternoon.
At 8:30 p.m. was the grand fireworks exhibition. The location and viewing points were unique, no doubt with fire safety in mind. The fireworks display occurred at the intersection of Riverside Drive and Prospect on the bluff above the Susan River. The public was urged to view the fireworks on the opposing bluff where the Susanville Grammar (nee Washington) School. An hour later a Mardi Gras and carnival dance capped the celebrations.
