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THE COLONY The first July event at The Colony was Golf Cart "Daze" in 1989, when the new golf carts arrived. A few residents had moved into the earliest homes, and some held July 4th BBQs on their patios. The Colony's first annual July Fourth Picnic and BBQ was held in 1990 at the new Clubhouse poolside. Tickets were $2, with BYO drinks and food. Music was provided by Pure Platinum for listening and dancing pleasure. By then, about 400 residents lived in the community's 238 homes. It was a great opportunity to meet neighbors, have fun and celebrate the country's 214th birthday. The second annual July 4th Picnic and BBQ was in 1991 and cost $3.50. Margaritas were sold for $1, and each table of six brought its own potluck and meat to BBQ. Entertainment was by the Ron Black Dixieland Band. Friends and neighbors celebrating the "hot" BBQ and music were advised to jump in the pool if it was too hot—but only if wearing a bathing suit. In 1992, the third July 4th Picnic & BBQ was an "old fashioned, down home, flag waving, red, white and blue" celebration. Featured were an old-time barbershop quartet, bathing beauties, and mixer games and relays. Tickets were $5 and included dinner. The old-fashioned bathing beauty review included period bathing garb. Residents with a Model T Ford, bicycle-built- for-two or other nostalgia were asked to bring them. The event was poolside, and many colorful hats and shirts were seen. COMMITTEE NEWS | THE COLONY NEWS | JULY 2022 | 13 MURRIETA In the early 1900s, Murrieta held annual July Fourth celebrations. The town's population then was 765, Washington Avenue was the main street, and the train station faced the Fountain House hotel at B Street and Clay Avenue. Celebrations took place on picturesque B Street between Washington and Adams, which was lined with cypress trees and called "Lover's Lane." Ladies fried chicken and packed bread, tableware and linens into wicker baskets for picnics. A committee hung red, white and blue bunting, and children waved flags. There were foot races, sack races and horse races along with badminton games. Everyone had a good time, except when lemonade was made in a zinc-lined bathtub and many people got sick. The last picnic was held in 1914, when a spectator leaned too far forward during a horse race and was trampled to death. Murrieta's July Fourth celebrations were never reinstituted. OUTREACH TO HISTORY By Lennie Martin JULY FOURTH IN EARLY MURRIETA AND THE COLONY 1991 photo: Unidentified, Michelle & Jim Mitchell, Barbara & George Strutz