Though the Masons disbanded in Ridgeway many years ago, they were very active in 1924. The Lorraine Lodge No. 128, A. F. & A. M., decided they wanted to raise money to build a Masonic temple in Ridgeway and to do that, they held a three-day community picnic. Much like RCBA does now, they asked the community members for support and the community responded generously. “It was truly a community affair. Every citizen of Ridgeway backup the members of the Masonic lodge and were untiring in their efforts to make the many visitors welcome.” The “weather was fine and the amusements and sports were carried off without a hitch.” (Ridgeway Journal, July 22, 1924)
The picnic centered around the beautiful Ridgeway Park which was full of concessions. The park “had the semblance of a grand carnival.” There was music by the Leonard Players band, a merry-go-round, Ferris wheel, Bingo, shooting galleries, ball racks, red hot candy stands and pop corn wagons. The “eating tent” and concessions were run by the Masons and the Order of the Eastern Star.” The picnic began on Tuesday and ran through Thursday and included more music by the Ridgeway Concert Band and the Moila Shrine Band of St. Joseph, circus acts, a parade on Thursday and three baseball games, all won by Ridgeway’s home team. There were lots of free things to do, speeches and performances to watch by the Leonard Players each evening. It seems like it was a wonderful and fun three days for Ridgeway residents and visitors from all over.
