Central Park Band Concert

"The band commenced playing at half-past three o’clock, and, as will be seen, led off with national airs appropriately commemorative of the day. All together it was a well-selected programme, and afforded a delightful musical treat. To this place at an early hour in the afternoon most of the people began to congregate, and by the time the music commenced it was surrounded on all sides by a sea of faces. All the large canvas awnings or tents were filled, as was the extended arbor, or trellis work on an elevation near by, which commanded a fine but limited view. A grand promenade, reaching from near the lower extremity of the Park to the Mall, was also crowded by a surging mass. An immense concourse of carriages also completely filled the drive extending over the Mall. Looking at this very large assemblage in the Park yesterday one would hardly suppose so many thousands had already left the city. Of course, of our strictly fashionable society, there were but few representatives, the intense heat of the weather having sent those that were left to their summer retreats at the seashore or inland watering places. The middling and working classes were there in full force. It was the people’s day, and it was eminently fitting that it should be so, for this is the people’s park. The crowds driven to temporary shelter by the afternoon shower of rain lingered into the darkening shades of evening, greatly delighted and refreshed by the cooled temperature, and the stream of carriages still rolled on an incessant tide. The signal for hurrying away was to witness the fireworks in the different sections of the city, and hoping the storm would not interfere with this important part of the day’s general programme.”