Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-08-20
WHEELING W VA THURSDAY MORNING. AUGUST 20. 1891.
SoMMERNACHT FEST.
A Brilliant Social Event at the State Fair
Grounds

A Brilliant Social Event at the State Fair
Grounds
A social event OF annual recurrence,
which is always looked forward to with
pleasant anticipations, is the Arion
Sommernachtsfest, and the fete Of last
night surpassed all previous affairs of q
similar character given by that popular
organization. About fifteen hundred
invitations were issued, and they were
so judiciously placed that the crowd OF
one THOUSAND people which attended
was most select and congenial.
The gates were opened at six o'clock,
and despite the fact that the skies pre-
sented threatening aspect during the
afternoon and early evening, the crowd
began to assemble shortly after that
hour. BY ten o'clock, upwards OF one
thousand people had passed through
the gates. Inside, Chinese lanterns and
calcium lights had transformed the
grounds into scene of beauty and AMI
nation. Lanterns were hanging every
where in profusion.
Atseven o'clock, the Opera House band
stationed itself In the rear OF the Expo
sition building, and for two or three
hours discoursed programme OF choice
concert and promenade music, while
the Arion Singing Society rendered a
number Of vocal selections In pleasing
manner. At eight o'clock the grand
display of fireworks took place on the
race track, and for the following two
hours there were rockets, and candles,
and wheels, and bombs, galore. The
pyrotechnic display was Of a more
elaborate character than heretofore,
and it was witnessed by a large crowd.
A half dozen balloons were sent up at
intervals during the evening. This was
one of the most successful, and also one
of the most enjoyable features OF the
evening. The display was under the
supervision of DR.. Booking and Mr.. n.
Schultz, assisted by Prof. Hermann
Schockey, DIR. John L. Pipes, Mr.. Chas.
Miller, and Mr.. Milt Mabis.
At o'clock the dancing commenced
to the music Of the Opera-House or
chestra and the floor was alive with the
devotees OF that popular diversion.
The programme was made up OF the
latest and most popular dances and the
music was an inspiration.
The committee In charge OF the dane
ing and other amusements was com
posed of Messrs. Henry Stifel, William
Bowers, F. B. Klleves, Oswald
Schrieber, George A. Ebeling. Charles
Woeber, August Schneider, Henry
Hess, William Kirbach and Louis Laul
The evening was an admirable one
for promenading, and many OF those
who attended availed themselves OF the
opportunity to pass the time in thai
manner. There was constant stream
of promenaders passing through the
grounds, and the bright costumes OF the
ladies lent an additional charm to the
lively scene. The pyrotechnic display
ENDED Jxss With Reefs Jtfhfsi!iah.z nr'eAss'en
The affair continued until about mid
night, and most of the crowd remained
until the close, and were reluctant tC
leave then.
The Fest Committee, to whose effort:
is due much of the success OF last even
ing's fete, was composed OF the follow
ing gentlemen: Louis G. Stifel, John A.
Hess, Chas. w. Appenzeller, f. Riester,
Leo Reister, F. c. II. Schwertfeger,
Fred Driehorst, G. A. Schafer, Ed
Booking and Theo. Roller.