July 4 through time
100 Years ago – 1925
The Henry Bulletin described the Fourth of July in Martinsville as having “no sign of rowdyism, but instead an atmosphere friendliness and apparent thankfulness such as usually marks Thanksgiving Day or Memorial Day in most of the cities in the South.” There were three ball games; a speech by Col. Sanders at the Courthouse; fire-works in Fieldale, and the Karuna Parade followed by a big ceremony in the warehouse. More than 100 candidates received the advanced degree of the Junior Order. At the Chatauqua tent, an audience numbered in the hundreds saw a “fine program” given by the Indian Princess Te Ata.
75 years ago – 1950
Fire completely destroyed the filling stating on Route 58, just east of Stuart, owned by Mr. and Mrs. George Crowder. The Crowders lived there, and everything they owned was destroyed in the fire. They were away at the time.
50 years ago – 1975
Three major Fourth of July events were held in Patrick County. An Independence Day parade in Stuart had more than 60 units participating (grand marshals were Dels. A.L. Philpott of Bassett and Garry G. DeBruhl of Patrick County). The Vesta Rescue Squad had activities at the Vesta Community Center, including rock music; a string band; contests in bubble gum blowing, tobacco spitting and sack racing; greased pole climbing; a flea market; entertainment booths; a flatfoot dance contest; and competitions in banjo, fiddle, quartets, bands and instrumentalists; and a square dance. The Patrick Springs Ruritan Club held a cornerstone ceremony at the new Patrick Springs Bank, where they buried a time capsule; then a 40-unit parade, booths and contexts including greased pig chasing, bicycle races and bingo games. Gospel group The Revelations sang.
25 years ago - 2000
Montgomery Gentry was the headline band in Celebration 2000, the free holiday event at the Martinsville Speedway. Bands Fatz and the Drifters opened the show. Thirty thousand people attended the event, which included carnival games
— Information from museum records and the Henry Bulletin and the Martinsville Bulletin.