The herald., 1894-03-11
AT THE MIDWINTER FAIR.
Many Attractions Offered for
Pleasure Seekers.
Special Programmes to Be the Feat
ures Hereafter.
PAINS Fireworks - The Great Bon et
Steel Tower With It's Electric
lights u Drawing
Gard.
Special correspondence to tho HnnAtD.

!
created by the variety and general char
acter Of the exhibits at the California
midwinter international exposition, that
enterprise is beginning to take fast hold
on the minds Of those who visit it as a
fountain OF pleasure. The experience at
the Chicago exposition, more perhaps
than at any exposition which preceded
the Columbian worlds fair, taught those
who get up enterprises OF this kind that
the element of entertainment must be
largely catered to. This feature has
been developed at the midwinter expo
sition to large extent, and while it by
no means overshadows the educational
element OF the exposition, it plays
very important part
1t has been found out that ia order to
draw the biggest crowds to the exposi-
tion special programmes OF entertain
ment must be provided, and to that end
the idea of observances under tbs aus
pices OF representatives of different
states and different organizations, fra
ternal or otherwise has been worked, !"
TO use the vernacular, for all it is worth.
The first state day, that celebrated un-
der the auspices OF the Vermont Society
OF the Pacific coast, was such decided
success that the commi ssioners for oth ar
states are now vying with each other
to surpass the record made by Vermont
day on Saturday, March 50. The Yer
monters had an advantage in securing
the presence Of their home governor,
Hon. Levi X. Fuller, VINO came on
across the continent especially for this
occasion, and who is now doing the
glorious climate to the best of his
ability.
The next great state day is Michigan
day, which comes on Monday, March
18th. Tie Michiganders are also for
tunate in having a prominent repre-
sentative OF their state TO make lion of.
Gen. Russell A. Alger, famous soldier
leader in Grand Army circles, a Dossi-
bility in the way OF presidential tim Der,
is now here in San Francisco, aud has
planned his itinerary 20 as TO be here on
Michigan day. General Alger will be-
the orator of the occasion, and around
him will center some very interesting
celebrations. The Grand Army element
OF San Francisco recognize hum as a
leader, and the military order of the
Loyal Legion will unite with others to
do him honor on this occasion. Grand
preparations are being made for the
celebration of st. PatrIck's day, which
comes next week as we'll, as 90 there
will-be coming along one after the other
/ durinf the entire term OF the exposition
special fete days and grand gala occa-
sions which will keep the fair from be-
coming monotonous, and which are snre
to roll up the gate receipts in very eat.
ietSctory manner
Oneofthe most prominent features of
these special occasions is the grand die
play OF PAINS fireworks which is made
in every instance, and which is a de-
cided novelty on the Pacific coast
Heretofore pyrotechnlcs have not been
INDUCED in on such an elaborate scale
and the eyes OF those who have never
been east of the Rocky mountains have
been literally opened by the displays
thus far made by the wonderful works
OF the Pa.a company. These displays
are varied on each succeeding occasion,
and are made local to the state or the
organization under whose auspices the
! special observance is being conducted.
In this way the picture of Vermont's
| governor was presented in fire, and the
| coat OF arma OF the Green Mountain
state also had place ON The programme.
General Alger's portrait will play a part
on March 18th, and Michgan's coat of
arms will take its turn. True it is that
everybody Ia kept in excellent good
humor and made to feel that special
days are something more than mere
name in this connection.
But perhaps the most wonderful of all
the successful efforts which the exposi-
tion management has made to please
the public is to be found in the great
Bonet steel tower, which occupies
central position in the grand court, and
which has excited the wonder and ad-
miration of all beholders. This tower is
built on the model OF the great Elffel
tower of Paris and reaches height of
272 feet. On its summit is an immense
search light, the largest of the great
search lights which were used at the
| Columbian exposition. But it ia the
electric illumination of the body of this
tower from base to summit that makes
| il so remarkable q show piece. Nothing
of the kind has ever before been at
tempted in the history of expositjons.
The Effel tower was not illuminated in
this way. Not only are the outlines cut
out against the blackness OF the night in
lines of incandescent lights. but the
sides of the tower are reaplendent with
electric represeu tations of beautiful ros-
cites, OF the shield OF California, OF the
coat of arms OF this great empire state.
and of the typical grizzly OF the Rockies.
All these are brought out in vivid colors
and the effect is one that cannot be
easily described. The tower ia in reality
a pillar of fire by night, and can be seen
for miles around San francisco, and
from far out on the Pacific beyond the
Golden Gate.
This wonderful tower is very popular
by day as well as by night. for it's electric
elevator carries thousands daily to the
upper OF the three galleries which sur
round it, and from this point Of vantage
can be obtained the best possible view of
the exposition and its surroundings. No
more beautiful birdseye view can be inn
agined any Whsre on the face OF Gods
green earth than this view from the top
OF the Bonet steel tower. Strangers from
abroad stand as long as the guards will
let them, drinking in the beauty of the
scene, and again and again they ascend
the lofty outlook, and seem never to tire
of the experience.