The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-01-13
TO LIFT A DEBT
A Fancy Fair for the
OlympiCs.
A Lively Hotel Competition May
Enter Into the Spirit of
the Affair.

1t seems to be the enviabIe fad OF the
Olympic Club members just at present TO
provide a series of pleasant social excite
ments for the people of this city. The
proverbial nine days wonder of their in
auguraton festivities has scarcely sub
sided, and yet they are to the front again.
this time with projects for grand fancy
fair, TO be opened on the 10Th of April next.
just what shall be seen at the fair is not
definitely settled as yet, but it is asserted
on the best authority that the show will
combine all the attractions usually ex-
peeted, in addition to novelties hitherto I'M
dreamed of in connection with fairs.
There are to be thirty booths in the large
gymnasium, on and under the gallery, and
a good many prominent ladies have already
promised 10 take charge OF these booths,
but whether they viii be nineteenth CEN
tury booths, with ladies In the costume OF
to-day to sell the tempting wares. or
whether the public shall be permitted TO
peep into Moorish baZaaFs with orient al
hours to take Its dollars and dimes, or
whether the booths will take the form of
Swiss chalets with ladies in The costumes
of the different cantons, or OF some old
German or English fair, has not vet been
decided. All that William Greer Harrison
knows for certain about 1t is that the booth 8
will be there and that they viii be very
attractive.
One suggestion is that the ladies' from the
different hotels should be asked TO take
booths. 1t is thought, for example. that
the Pleasanton booth Would never let itself
be beaten by the Palace booth, and the
ladies OF the Palace booth, being actuatad
by exactly the same friendly spirit OF rivalry
would make such eXertIo1s on their part
that the combined effect OF all the hotel
hDOtlg q
ge0us to imagine. Although the hotel
scheme is nothing but an idea as yet, one
only has too look at the Olympic Club build
ing to see how effectaally the clubs idea
might become facts.
q stage is to be erected 10 the large GYM
nasiam for dramatic. musical and athletic
entertainments. Upon the stage will also
be given representations of ancient, Grecian
and Roman games by skilled athletes. The
artist, Amadee J0ullin. has undertaken to
make sketches for the costumes, which are
to be historically correct. As for the games,
many Of them Will represent those gladla-
torial combats that we have all read and
shuddered about
Mark Twain is responsible for the state
ment that no one has the strength Of mind
TO speak about these terrible Roman games
without quoting ByrOn's "Butchered to
make a Roman holiday" but there will be
no dying gladators" n, the Olympic Fair
The eombats will be harmless, and even
lions will not be admitted into the arena
except social lions, and OF these Mr.. Har-
rison hopes TO have large number.
The list OF performers is not 10 be con-
fined TO members of the Olympic Club.
Nearly all the athletic clubs in California
and & few from tie East are going to lend
their assistance.
In the tank there will be all sorts OF
aeQuatic sports, and visitors will be per-
mitted TO row. or even to have a swim If
of
The boys gymnasium is 10 be fitted up
as a garden. and refreshments are to be
served there under the charge of pTomi-
nent caterer. There viii be fine singers,
and those who are anxious 10 penetrate
into the future will be able to do so by
crossing the gypSy'S palm with a piece Of
silver.
The fair will be open afternoon and even
ing for six days, and every night the last
hour will be devoted TO selling goods at
auction. All the social humoristS IN the
city ere already engaged to enact the part
OF aGctioneers, and II is expected that their
efforts will ada largely TO the financial sue
cess Of the enterprise.
The Olympic Club is not getting up the
fair merely for diversion and for the enter
talnment Of its friends. ii is 10 be on far
too large a scale for that There is seri-
Gus object in view, and that object is money,
which IS TO be devoted to the reduction OF
the clubs building account. IL is anxious
to pay off its floating debt. and feels conf
dent that the fair Will enable IL 10 do so.
Although the plans are more or less in an
embryo state at present good deal OF as
sis,ance has already been offered, and a
good deal more is expected. both in the way
Of contributions and also Of personal help.
The social department is under the
charge Of }. D. Redding, and II. j. Stewart
is musical director. 1t will not be many
days before things will be IN working
order, and then the Olympic fair bureau OF
information and management will be opened
at 500 California street.