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 Unfortunately, The Smithfield Herald did not publish any pictures of the 1945 celebration, but here's one from Farmers Day of 1947 that gives you some idea of how the big day went two years earlier. This view is from the sidewalk in front of First Citizens Bank on Downtown's Market Street. The photograph was taken by Joe Padgett and recently donated by his daughter Caroline Padgett Moser to the Johnston County Heritage Center, today's occupant of the bank building. An unforgettable Farmers Day celebration at the end of World War II in August 1945 Here's The Smithfield Herald's description of what was likely the most celebrated event in Johnston County history: "President Truman's peace announcement, which came at 7 p.m. Tuesday (August 14), set in motion an impromptu noisy celebration...." (EDITOR'S NOTE: The Herald's regular Tuesday edition had already been printed and distributed by then; therefore, the need for the Extra edition with the huge WAR ENDS! headline.) "Band boys got out their trumpets and started blowing at top volume. Cow bells and dinner bells were rung. Every conceivable noise-making instrument was brought into play by the ingenious celebrants.... "The celebration, while noisy, never got 'out of hand' and the noise-making started dying down just before midnight.... "A little after 12 o'clock a deserted Market Street looked like a tornado had struck. Bits of paper littered the sidewalks and street. Paper streamers hung from electric wires along the thoroughfare.... (It looked like) a miniature Times Square celebration." No wonder. Not only did the Farmers Day event celebrate the end of the war. It was also a time to put the Great Depression in the trash bin of history. |
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