San Rafael’s Oldest Festival revived in 1911
by Laurie Thompson
The October 28, 1911 Sausalito News reports:
The revival of the celebration of Oct. 24th, San Rafael Day, which has been dormant for three score and more years, took place in San Rafael on Tuesday and it was certainly a celebration to be proud of. It was a reunion of all the old-timers, their children, grand and great grandchildren….
As near as possible it was a reproduction of the former celebrations of San Rafael Day which always brought large crowds from all over the state. As in those days, it was a gala day, all business houses being decorated and a holiday for all. There was the grand parade, barbecue, horseracing, exhibits of the skill of the vaquero and other lively and interesting games. The bullfighting and gambling were agreeably missed. In the evening, dancing in the Armory and an exhibition of a frontier stage holdup by the Essanay Company kept the crowd amused.
This evening the celebration will close with a grand parade of horribles and a Mardi Gras procession….
The young ladies of Lagan Institute in a handsomely decorated tallyho, received flattering comments and were incessantly cheered. Through the generosity of Mrs. M. H. De Young, the tallyho was decorated with dahlias, chrysanthemums and evergreens….
Originally published at https://annetkent.kontribune.com.
