Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1895-06-21
ALL AMONG THE ROSES
WITH ACCOMPANIMENT OF FES-
TIVE STRAWBERRY.

The Festival of Flora aud Pomona
The Floral Parade-The Grand
Display at the Hall-The Won
derful success OF an Impromptu
Effort.
Last night was a gala season for our
people. Nearly everybody WAS on the
street, in holiday attire, to witness the
passing pageant of beautiful forms
and color. In the lead OF the band
came the floats and carriages beauti-
fully draped in flowers; the bicycles
festooned with more of these beautiful
evidences OF Natures handiwork; then
motley crowd Of delighted spectators.
The procession was only couple of
blocks in length, but it made up in
gorgeous beauty what it lacked in
numbers.
The leading float was floral car
laden with A beautiful girls, repre-
sen.ing the States, one of whom on an
elevated chair OF State being doubtless
intended for the embryo of power and
might-Washington. This was fol.
lowed by boat on wheels, manned by
a crew Of boys, doubtless intended to
suggest the idea that there were res
cuers at hand should the fair contin-
gent be in need of stout arms and
brave hearts to defend them.
Then came the Oiympian's float
which was very pretty when it started
on its pilgrimage, consisting OF u
frame work, or banner Of flowers on
wire netting, surrounding q copy OF
the paper, the name of the paper being
wrought in flowers at the top of the
frame. Being mounted on q truck the
jolting that it was subjected to soon
afforded a practical verification OF the
line of the song
LEAF by leaf the roses fall,'
and the little maiden who drove the
diminutive ponies resembled the god
dess of flowers amid the shower of
sweet buds.
One Of the decorated bicycles which
elected much attention was in the
shape OF a small house covered with
long ferns which completely concealed
the rider, Mr.. NJ b. Christopher. When
it slowly moved along it put one in
mind of those stately birds seen in
Central Park known as the emu.
At nine o'clock the procession re.
turned to the hall, and when the doors
were opened rush took place and in
few moments all the available space
was taken. The doors were then
closed and the brief programme was
gone through for the benefit of those
who came first and were" first served"
The remainder of the assemblage, who
waited patiently on the street, we're
admitted in installments, and by ten
O'Clock, all who had not gone home
had seen the fine display OF fruits and
flowers.
The exhibit of flowers-especially of
roses-was superb, the two side walls,
north end of the room and a large
part of the center being lined with
tables that were crowded with the
finest growth of floral beauty. The
south end of the hall and part OF the
center was devoted to the berry ex-
hibit, and the display of the leading
varieties of strawberries and goose
berries, fairly astonished our own
residents who are used to such ex-
hibits.
The award of premiums will be
made this evening, and given in full
in our next issue.
The prize for best decoration in the
bicycle contest was awarded to Curtis
Harold. There were about 90 con-
testants a portion of whom were
young ladies, and much taste was ex.
hibited in arrangement OF the floral
decorations.
Among the unique design was one
by Arlie Van Epps, who appeared on
an iron steed gaily caparisoned, with
q Japanese umbrella over his head
from which hung a number OF Chinese
lanterns. A. ii. Christopher had two
bicycle wheels arranged above those
used for locomotion, which revolving
from contract and being gaily decor
ated, produced novel and pleasing
effect.
The "show" will continue to-mor-
row and close ut 10 o'clock in the
evening.
The funeral of g. NJ. Epperson, of
Eastside, who died yesterday morning,
occurred at Masonic cemetery. this
Deceased was 50 years of
age, a native OF Bowling Green, Ind.