The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-09-02
morn Music on UNION HILL
The Opening OF Yet Another Great German
Fcstivai-To-dny's Programme.


Early yesterday morning--that is, early
for II Sunday mornng-there were evidences
throughout the river country Of New Jersey Of
u hegira. The lido set toward Union Hill. and
one who followed it or. rather. sided along upon
it could discover that 1t led to the German
Schuezen Park. The occasion was the fourth
annual volssicst of the Pattdcutsche verein-
the annual festival of the Pattdeutsche So
coties. In this celebration. which will last
for four days. closing on Wednesday night,
forty-one German societies will participate. The
members of the societies are Plattdeutschers
or their descendants. The English equivalent
for their provincial origin is Low German.
They iogrneyed from northern Germany. The
aggregate membership ofthcse societies is about
10000 members. To have seen the migration
toward Schuetzen Park yesterday you would not
think that tho membership had been overesti-
mated. Six or seven thousand persons. all ex-
celent Plattdeutschcrs. and all fond and capa-
BILE Of enjoying such holiday entertainment rs
the day offered. were in the park. Yetthe man
ayers consider the attendance small compared
with what II Will be on the succeeding days OF
the festival. The Park. always attractive with
its natural and artificial beauties has boon rem
ovnted and put in most perfect order. Yester-
day II was charming.
The formal opening Of the festival was ut
O'Clock. Long before that time. the winding
booths had been pcopled with pleasure seeking
Germans. The Goyernor's Island band began
u sacred concert. Under the direction III Di-
rector Emil Stiglcr the band was stationed in
the music stand near the castle. The sound of
the music promptly drew the hundreds from
the various places OF other enjoyment. After the
programme was completed the,majorty sought
the valley where an acrobatic performance
was the next formal entertainment. II was sue
cccded 10y IA superior Punch and Judy show,
and when it was concluded each gave himself
or herself over to that variety Of entertai nment
man to be seen. also the living skeleton. the
educated pig, and dozen other catch penny
n country fair. Merrygigs had been set up.
and were kept whrlng all day. Every booth
where beer, peanuts, sausnges. cakes. and all
the truly German good things were served.
found customers.
When night came on the Park was brilliantly
Illuminated. II the scene was u charming one
by day. at night 1t seemed like fairy land. A
| thousand Chinese lanterns shed their mild light
through every walk aud arbor. Here and
there n street lamp made the way more plain.
without impairing the beauty OF the effect.
while over all. from the centres Of attraction.
| calcium lights shot their intense rays. making
| hedges. trees. and shrubs. and the passing peo-
| pie among them weird and unnatural The little.
| young moon was eclipsed. not by the intervcn-
! ton of an unkind world but by the cNtraordi-
| nary .hrillancy OF "a part OF IL. The picturesque
outlines Of the castle stood out In bold relief
against the sky. In the evening the interest
centred in that part Of the park known rs " the
| valley" There several strong calcium lights
made the place light rs day, The climbing OF a
! smooth. SION Ter iole LOT Tue. treasures NJ iut
| top had taken tho place OF the sack races and
| similar sports Of the late afternoon. Later. a
| lcgerdemuin performance took place. and 1t was
| followed 10y an extensive pantOnme.
| IL was not until late that the beer drinking
| grew feeble. and the last Of the thousands went
! from the Park.
To-day there is to be promenade concert
| and a representation If scenes from German
| fairs. In the afternoon tn. attraction is 10 be Il
procession OF tho members of the forty -on,
societies Of the Pattdeutsehe Nercin. There
| Will be rope walking acrobatic performances
| and a hundred other minor attractions to I'LL OuI
| the days sport. In the evening there is to BE- q
| magnificent tableau representation Of the battle
| OF Sedan the performance to conclude with the
surrender OF the Emperor Napoleon" and the
| Growing Of Emperor William" BY trans
! parencies. other scenes OF the Franco-PrussiaI
| war are 10 DE shown.
| The event OF Tomorrow will be the reception
| o. the Common Council of Schoppenstadt and
| Buxtehudc. two CITIES famous in German ira
dtional history. The Councils OF these two lml.
| ugiuary cities Will be duly received by the mcnl-
| hers of the societies at l75 Bowery. at 3 T. VI
! They will all march through the principal
streets Of the city and upon their arrival al the
| SchueUen Park Will Oc received by the President
| Of the association. Mr. Henry Clausen. Jr. The
| programme for the rest Of the dav. rs well ~
| for Wednesday, is rcplcte with interesting iea-
| lures.