Fourth of July celebrations in Cordova have been pretty spectacular in the past and in 1934 included this local band composed of drummer George Dooley, saxophonist Clyde Irhig, pianist Babe Irhig and banjo player Pinkie Roan. The man standing at the far left has been identified as Tom Nestor Sr., and is alongside his son, Tom Nestor, Jr.
Overcast by warm weather prevailed for the 1934 holiday. The day featured a children’s parade led by American Legion Drum and Bugle Corps and a costumed group marching down First Street. Other events featured a potato race, a shoe race, a sack race, balloon race and a pie-eating contest. A crowd of over 500 were spectators for an “out of door boxing smoker” that received reviews as the best boxing program ever seen in Cordova.
This photo came from the archives and collections of the Cordova Historical Society housed within the museum. The museum is open10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and noon-5 p.m. Saturdays.
Currently on exhibit in the Copper River Gallery “David Rosenthal – Art and Science on the Katmai Coast.”
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