The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-07-09
xArst annual Festival Of the Hihernian Benevolent
and Mutual Aid Association Of Louisiana.

and MUTUAL Aid Association Of Louisisna
The festival given by the above named asso-
citation, at the Oakland Riding Park, on Sun
day, Monday and Tuesday, July I'd, Sd and 4th,
was, in overy sense of the word, q complete
success, and the members thereof have cause
to congratulate themselves upon the uniform
good order which characterized the various
days sports,a as we'll upon the financial success
which, from the numbers in daily attendance
on the ground, must have been great.
For weeks preceding the festival, the entire
Irish population of our city were upon the
tip toe of expectation, and many and varied
were the specula;ions as to the state of the
weather, which was to decide the enjoyment OF
SO many. Nature, however, appeared to smile
anspiciously upon the undertaking of the Hi
bernlans and, at this time of the year it would
be impossible to have, or expect better or more
agreeable weather than that which character
lied the three days selected.
The grounds selected for the OCCASION are
situated on the Metairie Ridge, adjoining the
new shell road aGd fronting the new canal
accessible by the Canal street cars and vessels
from the New Basin, and from the number of
large and magnificent Live Oaks Astounding on
$3.50 ~~~Ss
various kinds of out door sports. Ample ac-
commodations were provided for the conveyance
OF passengers on the Canal street road, and
the steamer Crescent City ran daily from
Magnolia Bridge for the transportation of
pleasure seekers. Arriving in front of the
grounds, the first object that attracted the at
tention was beautiful United States flag of
gigantic proportions that ever and anon float
cd to the breeze, and then, as if coquetting
with the wooing zephyrs dropped listlessly ON
It's staff, as if conscious of it's own import
ance Immediately in front and over the gate,
were the notices of the Association. "Cead
Mile Failthe," Benevolonce, Friendship,
Love-" welcome to ALL" as symbolic of the
feelings and purposes Of the organization, the
whole surmounted by the initial letters of
the association, and the dates of the festivity,
over all Of which hung entwined the national
oolors of the United States and Ireland, the
latter having painted on its centre the emble-
matic wolf-dog. Upon entering the grounds,
the platform, from which tho grafton was to
be delivered, was fou nd to be handsomely and
taseefully decorated with various colored
aags, those Of Branches Nos. and 3 being in
terwoven with the national standards, and
presenting pleasing picture to the eye.
Around this platform, at convenient dis
tances, were ARRANGED the refreshment stands,
ut which cooling beverages and substantial
viands could be procured at reasonable rates
some of them having appropriate devices,
amongst which We particularly noticed, alive
and Let Live" and "McEvoy's HSbernicon,"
the latter of which, though not as pleasing to
the eye as its 1amesakes was certainly more SO
to the palate. Around the grounds everywhere
were discernable the signs of preparation for
the coming sports, and when o'clock on Sun
day had arrived, the President of the Associa-
ton introduced. as orator of the day, Mr. John
J. Finney, who, in an able and telling speech,
of an hours duration, gave detailed account
of the formation, development and success of
the organization, its objects and benefits and
by the continued and prolonged shouts of ap-
plause that attended his remarks proved how
effectively his task had been performed and
his audience satisfied. After the close of Mr. |
remarks, the regular sports of the
day commenced, and continued until dark, the |
crowd all the while increasing, until at least
5000 persons were congregated upon the
grounds. The utmost good order and feeling
prevailed until this writer left the grounds, ut
An unusually late hour, satisfied with himself,
the Hibernians and everybody else, and with
his head filed with orations, goose races, base
ball matches, hurdles, and floats, to dream of !
the sports on |
MONDAY, THE THIRD.
Though the attendance on Monday was very
small in comparison with that ON Sunday, yet |
there was the usual energy displayed by the |
committee in attending to the vari- |
ous exercises of the day, which were gone |
through in their proper order, and continued !
until night, everybody upon the grounds ap- |
pearing to fully enjoy himself in harmless re-
creation, going homo well pleased with the
and determined to sec them again
1pon
THE GLORIOUS FOURTH.
The lapse of time from Sunday to Tuesday,
appeared to have renewed the energies of those
who had participated in Sundays festivities,
and from the opening Of tho gate until long
.fter dark, ono continuous stream of human
'eings kept pouring into the grounds, until ut
east 5000 persons had assembled. Sunday