From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for July 4, 1987:
Organizers of the Independence Days festival estimated that about 5,000 people had visited Burcham Park on the previous evening, which was the opening night of the event. According to an article in today's Journal-World, the festival had begun with a bang: "In front of the All Seasons Hotel and saloon, the town jail and general store, the Lawrence Gunfighters Assn. staged a magnificent shootout, which left about seven dead on 'Main Street.' The dead arose after the fight and promised to return today and Sunday." Park visitors had also been entertained by Riders in the Sky, performing songs of the old west "and generally cutting up," and the New Grass Revival, whose high-energy fusion of several musical styles was greeted by cheers from the crowd. The festival was to continue throughout the weekend, with the traditional Fourth of July fireworks scheduled this evening for exactly 9:08 p.m.
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Commenting has been disabled for this item.