Ontario residents remember picnic and parade history

At one time there was no question what Ontario residents would do for the Fourth of July. 

Families would pack up picnic supplies and head to the All-States picnic on Euclid Avenue. Shaded by huge pepper trees, one long row of tables stretched along the median, separated only by signs from the different states of the union posted in alphabetical order. 

The Fourth of July parade featured floats, bands and even celebrities. A fireworks show at Chaffey High School often capped the day. 

The first Independence Day parade in Ontario was held in 1895. The All-States picnic made its official debut May 20, 1939. The two events would eventually be combined into one large Fourth of July celebration in 1954. 

Times have changed. No one really reminisces with others from their home state at the picnic anymore. The fireworks show has moved to Westwind Park. 

Still the memories remain for many longtime Ontario residents, such as Councilman Gary Ovitt. 

"People spent all day downtown," he recalled. "Those were great times." 

The Sunkist Co. would give away free juice all along the median, Ovitt said. 

As a young boy, Councilman Jerry DuBois went to the picnic with his grandmother, mother and brother. They would take fried chicken and potato salad and set up to watch the parade. 

"There was tons of shade," DeBois said. "We would play catch and run around." 

"It was a big deal," said longtime Ontario resident Bob Rawski. "Folks met people from their home state. A lot of it was hometown stuff." 

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The idea for an all-state picnic dates back to 1916 when the Chamber of Commerce would seat members by state during its annual dinner. An All-States picnic was held at Fourth Street Park (now John Galvin Park) in 1932 to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of Ontario's founding. 

City Manager Carl Holmer suggested moving the picnic to Euclid Avenue and creating the world's largest picnic table. In 1941, the event was even featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not cartoons. 

An estimated 30,000 people attended that first All-States picnic May 20, 1939. Esther Ann Walker was named Miss Ontario. 

In 1950, princesses were chosen from each state and an All-Sates queen was selected from the group. Miss North Dakota, Doleen Bourgois, was the first queen. 

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Cathleen Wentz recalled being names Miss Colorado one year. "I never lived there," she said, laughing. 

She had duties, too, such as carrying the American flag at Dodger stadium. 

"It was really fun," said Wentz, now executive director of the Downtown Ontario Business and Professional Association. "It was a really neat way to serve as an ambassador." 

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In 1951, the event got a mascot: Jasper the ant. Named in a contest, Jasper stands for the phrase, "July Fourth All-Sates Picnic on Euclid Avenue -- Regular Event." 

But the picnic along with a parade didn't become a Fourth of July tradition until 1954. 

Television and movie stars, such as the cast of "Happy Days," would routinely participate in the parade. Celebrities, such as Tom "Billy Jack" Laughlin, served as grand marshal. 

The parade was even once broadcast live by Channels 5 and 11. 

The 1960s and '70s saw the event's popularity wane. In 1981, the parade-picnic was held for the last time, or so it seemed. The city's centennial revived interest in the event and the parade and picnic were held once again in 1991. It's been an annual event ever since. Last year, the event was even held on the Fourth of July holiday. 

But it hasn't been the same. "People don't know about the history of the parade and picnic," DuBois said. "It has lost its momentum." 

Rawski agreed: "It's lost a lot of its glow. It doesn't have the same emphasis it once did." 

Still there are some who continue to work to restore the original luster of the All-States picnic and parade.