University of Texas Austin - Cactus Yearbook (Austin, TX)

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T7ie Texas Sesquicentennia set the theme of balloons in the Coca-Cola Sesquicentennial Balloon Race March 8-9. The colorful transports could be seen over Austin throughout the weekend. 22 Sesquicentennial

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show tainers bration - ' s Johnny Cash, to Davis and the -i actors Patrick Say !e tAity. P i Texans that couldn ' t to to to conflicting appeared on tape. ' Walter Cronkite, singer si. actress Jaclyn Smith, s Coach Tom Landry, actress Fhild and tens of wit to birthday wishes as the mite on tape. o finish off the extravagant weal hundred burnt-orange marched to the stage, horns M tht air, to salute Texas t The Longhorn Marching (rforaed the final number, ,r Microphone yelled, ii-Jks. That ' s a wrap! Country singer, George Sir ill. rrcripfd some of Utt loudest applause of til the performer at Texas 50inthr Frwin Center. The rtou toas taped In Austin on Sundmg. April 27. and shown nationwide on ABC Monday nlghL Sesquicentcnnial 21

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Extravagant Austin excitement salutes Texas Sesquicentennial by Amy Sailer Ann had moved a generous five feet on Mopac southbound in a span of 45 minutes on her way to Auditorium Shores for the free con- cert in celebration of Texas In- dependence Day. The air was muggy and unseasonably warm for March 2, reaching 90 degrees in midafternoon. Of course, her roommate ' s car didn ' t have an air conditioner, and a breeze was unlikely as traffic stood frozen in all lanes. Ann was irritated and cranky at be- ing dragged along in this mess. Her roommate Jeanne was too excited to mind the unpleasant conditions. She was an avid Joe Ely fan and had been talking about his coming to Austin ever since it had been announced in the paper in conjunction with other events listed to join the Ses- quicentennial celebration. Earlier that day, Jeanne had dragged Ann to the Independence Day Parade along Congress Avenue, and Ann had to admit it was im- pressive. The hundreds of people who turned out for the procession were so excited and pleasant, despite the stifling weather, Ann had actually enjoyed the whole extravaganza. The floats were the most colorful she had seen and the marching bands even had her clapping her hands to their lively music. Ann asked a little boy jumping up and down, spilling juice all over her feet, what he was so ex- cited about. He answered her quite assuredly, Texas is a thousand years old! Well, almost. Okay, Ann thought. The parade was great, but the traffic is getting to be a little too much. At least she could hear the music from the free concert from the car. A fellow hung his head out of the passenger side of a car to their left and informed Jeanne that Joe Ely had already performed. Oh God, Ann thought, Here comes the war song! But Jeanne totally threw Ann off guard by suggesting they hit the fireworks. It could be a long night. They made it to Auditorium Shores in time to shove their way between picnic baskets and sleeping children before the show began. Ann was expecting maybe a step above a few bottle rockets popping off in the sky. But music bellowed out in stereo from unknown sources located around the shores as brilliant displays of lights exploded in perfect syn- chronization in the sky. Ann was speechless as the fireworks con- tinued for almost half an hour as popular music scores rang out in unison with the activity in the sky. After the grand finale, hordes of people gravitated toward their park- ing spaces as Ann made a dash for the car with Jeanne panting at her heels. She wasn ' t about to spend the rest of the evening sweating against the vinyl of a car seat. But what usually would have been a 15-minute trip home turned into an hour jaunt. As Ann tumbled into their apart- ment, heading for the refrigerator door and a cold drink, she thanked God for the invention of ice. She sunk down on the couch, anticipating sleep while watching Jeanne walk toward her with a determined look on her face. Set your alarm clock for 6 a.m. We ' re going to the Coca Cola Balloon Races in the morning. Texas pride runs deep. even in the hearts of children. Helen Mlddleton. a sixth generation Texmn, u aoes the Texm flag during the Sesquicentennlal Parade down Congress Aoenue. The parade u 1 js part of the March 2 celebration. [.... ... . Sesquicentennisl 23