Yesterday we celebrated the 4th of July in the small town of Willits where I live in Northern California.We celebrate in a pretty big way for such a small town. We commemorate the holiday with "Frontier Days" starting in late June going through until the 4th of July. Then much to the dismay of travelers we close U.S. Highway 101 for part of the day for a mile long race and then a parade. After the parade there is a huge BBQ and then a rodeo.
Frontier Days had its beginnings back in 1926. Then many of the prominent citizens and the American Legion hatched the idea of a rodeo as a fund raiser for building a new hospital. Later in 1927 Frank Howards (the owner of the race horse Sea Biscuit) son was killed in tragic accident on the Ridgewood Ranch south of Willits. Dr. Babcock, who ministered to the boy, approached Howard about erecting a hospital in Willits in memory of his son. Howard built the Frank R. Howard Memorial Hospital shortly thereafter. The American Legion decided to keep the fundraiser for continued funding of the hospital.
There is your short history lesson for the day.There will be a test! Here are the images from the parade.There were musicians,rodeo sweethearts,old cars and trucks etc.
I had a great time there watching it and photographing it with my family. God bless,
chris
