We celebrated the 4th of July in Taylor this year because my sisters and I were asked to sing for their patriotic program.
I've participated in their celebration for probably 20 years...gosh I'm getting old! Anyway, anyone who isn't from this area (my husband included) probably thinks we're all crazy! We start the day off at 4:30 a.m. I have no idea how this got started, but it is literally a BLAST! I get to play with the Jennings band that has been around for forever. My dad has been in it since he was in high school! They start off by loading the band on to flat bed trailors, then we play a song, and then they "fire" the anvil. I wish I could have gotten better pictures, but I would have to get off the "band wagon" to get them.
I heard that the whole anvil thing got started was way back when (not sure how long ago, but in the 1800's) they didn't have any cannon's in Taylor, so they improvised by putting gunpowder between two anvil's and then lighting it. If you've ever heard a cannon fire, you know how LOUD it is! We drive through town, even on Main St., repeating the routine... band plays a patriotic song then fire the anvil, at least a dozen times to make sure all of Taylor and Snowflake are awake. It is always sooooo much fun!
This is the ORIGINAL bass drum that came from the Nauvoo legion back in the days of the pioneers.
If you look closely, you can see the smoke from the anvil. Also, notice EVERYONE with their ears plugged. I can't even begin to explain just how loud it is!
More crazy band pic's.
5 comments:
YOU KNOW AFTER MY 25 YEARS OF LIFE..I HAVE ONLY "KINDA" PARTICIPATED IN TAYLORS 4TH CELEBRATION ONCE!-- HOW LAME AM I! I NEED TO GET MORE INVOLVED--SOUNDS LIKE IT WAS FUN!
Cool pictures, I love following the anvil . . it's lots of fun.
We want to go to this one year, my sister in-law has told us all about it, and it sounds fun! My Brother got to light the Anvil last year, and he said it was really LOUD! I just love the fourth of july!
That is one thing I don't miss...being woken up so dang early by the stinken anvil!!! When I was young (many moons ago) loved to follow it. In my older years wasn't too fond of being woken up:) ha ha Glad to hear there are still some crazy rabbits willing to do it!;P ps this is Joele is you haven't already guessed
What a fun tradition...I wish I could have heard you sing with your sisters. I feel the same way about singing with my sisters - I enjoy it very much!
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