The July Fourth celebrations in 1929 and 1930 were particularly spectacular for the Valley. Enhancing the normal holiday celebration were speedboat races on the Chattahoochee River. Sixteen speedboats entered the races, which began at 10 a.m. on July 4, 1929. Thousands of spectators cheered on the contestants. In an article from the Chattahoochee Valley Times dated July 10, 1929, the reporter estimated that as many as ten thousand out-of-town guests enjoyed the festivities. The regatta drew visitors from Atlanta, Macon, and Montgomery. “West Point is ideal for these events,” remarked the newspaper. With banks near the river that could easily support throngs of spectators, and with many hundreds more gathered on the iron bridge, there was ample space for people to catch a glimpse of the action.
The West Point Boat Club sponsored and coordinated the speedboat races. The newspaper recounted that there were “thrills aplenty” as the crowd watched boat races that reached speeds of 40 miles an hour as well as other water activities, including daring surfers and canoe tilting. At the end of the races, the West Point Boat Club awarded a total of $130 in prize money. Mr. Howard of LaGrange won three of the four racing events.
After a successful Fourth of July celebration, plans were initially set for more boat races on the Chattahoochee. The newspaper reported that during a Fall fair residents could expect another regatta. As more regattas were offered, the West Point Boat Club established clearer guidelines to keep the games orderly and fair. For the next year’s Fourth of July celebrations, speedboat races were again included in the community’s activities.
Mr. George Cobb, the local Coca-Cola bottler, filmed the 1930 Fourth of July regatta. To see a clip of that, please visit Cobb Archives’ Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/cobbmemorialarchives/. Cobb Memorial Archives wishes you a Happy Fourth of July!
Cobb Memorial Archives 