About this time Egg Harbor and vicinity was celebrating its Silver Jubilee. I still recollect the parade and some of the floats.
First came a replica of the Atsion, the first locomotive of the Camden and Atlantic railroad built and operated by Robert Ohmeis, Sr. Then came a log cabin pioneer home, drawn by an ox team; then a winepress and a large cask representing the community's wine industry and a large replica of a champagne bottle. A printing press by the Egg Harbor Pilot, the town's first weekly paper, was printing and turning out a jubilee poem. There was also a shoemaker's shop, with a large boot that stood many years in front of a shoe store thereafter. A blacksmith's shop was making enough noise on the anvil to drown out the din of the parade with its brass band, songs, laughter and fireworks.
At the end came the farmers with their wagons, including my father's first horse and wagon on which I was a passenger.
At night there was a torch parade with colored fires and fireworks. Since Egg Harbor had no street lamps at that time, it made a great impression. One of the men even gave me a torch to hold! Was I thrilled!
Pioneer days now were considered over and real life and progress began for the settlement.