The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-09-22
Baltimore OrioIe.

The success of Baltimores big celebration |
last year exhuberated her citizens, and In mas
tering all its manifold details so perfectly, |
gained an experience which this year will be
turned to the best possible account. The
Oriole celebration this coming October VIII be
an immense thing, funds ample to meet
every requirement having been freely sub
scribed and placed at the disposal OF those
having the affair in charge In most respects
the order of things will be entirely different
from last year, and in the way OF gorgeous
and novel features there will be no compari-
son between the two celebrations. For years
the desire has been intense to witness gen
uine Mardi Gras parade without being forced
to 60 upon journey Of thousands of miles.
The fame of New Orleans, Memphis and Mo
bile as the centres of Mardi Gras and Carnival
festivities has spread throughout the entire
country, and when it is promised that Balti-
more shall equal if not indeed surpass the
greatest efforts of any the cities named it
means much. Contracts have already been
let for the mystic pageant, the subject illus
trated in an extensive series of tabeauX TO re-
main dead secret until the night of the Mardl
Gras Mr.. De Leon, the gentleman who has
designed and perfected the mystic features, has
had ample experience, having been at the head
of similar undertakings in New Orleans and
Mobile Baltimore pays him $4,000 for this
special feature, but this represents by no
means the whole Of the pageant. As much, #
not more, will be expended in other series of
tableaux, some of them designed and prepared
by the different societies of the city, and others
gotten up under the immediate direction of
the general committee. An entirely new de-
parture in this sort of parade will be the use
of platform cars upon which the tableaux will
be constructed and which will be run over the
street car tracks. 1t is estimated that the pa
geant will reach length of three miles, and
under electric, calcium and other brilliant
lights, will present scene to be witnessed but
once in a lifetime. The Mardi Gras will, how
ever, be but one of the great events of the
three days festivities. On Monday, the 10th,
the new water works are to be formally opened
with beautiful display by fountains and all
sort of thing. In TIE afternoon the grand
daylight parade is to occur and will without
doubt eclipse the big parade day of last year,
and to do that it will indeed be great. In ad-
dltion to the military of Baltimore and ada
cent cities, it is expected that several of the
military organizations enroute to Yorktown
will stop over and participate Aside from
the soldier boys, there will be grand displays
by Fire Departments, Masonic, Odd Fellows
Knights OF Pythias, and other organizations.
At night, the glorious Oratorio with its almost
countless voices. Tuesday morning is. sci
apart for the reception of the French visitors
anu AMONG tuclll, tHC lulIuctldtc ueSCeuuants
of Lafayette, De Barras, De Crosse, De Ro
chambeaux, and other great Frenchmen who
played so grand part as the allies of Wash.
ington during the revolution. With then
will come many of the most distinguished mel
ofthe French republic statesmen, generals
ana naval officers. Two French memo war
fully manned, are now on the sea bound fol
the Chesapeake; and Baltmore's welcome to
her illustrious guests will! be a memorable one
Wednesday will witness new honors to the
French, and a general series of receptions te
all visitors throughout the city. At nigh
comes the glorious Mask and Carnival Will
all Its merry features, its eccentric .costumins
and brilliant details. 1t will be happy wind
up to the three days pleasures and if all who
come do not have the jolliest time of theil
lives none will be blamed for ii but themselves
The B. Il O., with lis accustomed enterprise
and liberality, has joined in the full spirit o
the celebration and announces rate of one
half the regular fare from all stations on tn
main line, division and branches. Tickets ar
to be good for ten days, thus affording ampl,
time tor all. As is well known. Baltimore ha
an abundance of hotels, boarding houses ant
like places OF comfort, and no extra charg
whatever will be made for accommodation
during the Oriole celebration Nothing will
be spared TO make the occasion the happies
imaginable. Baltimore people knowing full
well that to fail in proving her claim to be TIN
most hospitahe city in the country, woul,
leave a stain upon her fair fame and mann
time could never blot out.