The San Francisco call., 1896-05-08
QUEEN ALICE OF HEALDsBURG ON THE ROYAL FLOAT.

pleasanter day could have been chosen for
the climax of Healdsburg's Floral Uarni-
val.
The crowds were early astir. Red
shirted fremen from San Francisco and
other cities. many of them with boards
grizzled in long service, pointed out to
wives and daughters the beauties of the
Gem City of Old Sonoma. The town was
full of beautiful women. Where they all
came from is question. 1t seemed as
though the gates of Paradise must have
opened and let out band of seraphs. The
bright faces, beautiful toilets and spark
ling eyes, together with the flowers, green's
and gaily-colored bunting so lavishly dis
played, give one the impression that the
Garden of Eden was located in Sotoyome
Valley and has not yet been abolished.
The plaza is brilliant in blue and gold, fes-
toons being hung across, around and
about it. Every store front is resplendent
in colors and the very atmosphere breathes
the carnival spirit.
The early train from Ukiah brought the
Ukiah band and a large contingent of fair
visitors with their husbands, brothers and
sweethearts. The band marched down
the streets, rendering excellent music.
The early freight train from San Fran
cisco brought the Exempt fire engine; the
ire laddies had already come up the pre-
vious night. Room was made in the en-
gine-shed at the City Hall for the visiting
machine. and the boys proceeded to re-
polish and decorate their pet.
All through the sunny morning hours
the bands occupied the grand bandstand,
and melodious strains foated over the
town. During the hours preceding the
floral parade. townspeople and visitors
promenaded through the streets, gayly
chatting, exchanging greetings, the
strangers pronouncing Healdsburg the
most attractive town they had ever
visited.
The window decorations are superb.
Merchants have been vying with each
other as to who should make the most
attractive display. Banks of flowers,
blooming roses, little ponds, fountains,
lilies and ferns make the prettiest OF
them, although many are decorated with
colored bunting, and some with stuffed or
living birds.
Looking down the vista of the broad
tree-lined avenues the first view reminds
one of kaleidoscope, the gorgeous hues
of dresses and flowers mingling in be-
wildering manner. Above and beyond are
the green trees, Towering shrubs, backed
by cozy cottages, and in the further dis
tance are seen the stately hills which bor-
der the lovely valley in which the town is
situated.
The time set for the floral parade was II
o'clock, just after the arrival of the regu.
lar train from San Francisco. A special
train from Petaluma arrived Just previ
ously crowded with enthusiastic Petalu-
mans, who brought with them fine band.
Both trains were met at the depot and
their crowds escorted in triumph over
well-sprinkled streets to the town proper
At very few minutes past the ap.
pointed time the procession formed II
was the most extensive and the finest dis.
play ever seen in northern Sonoma County
and the crowds which packed the side
walks along the line of march and filed
the plaza testified its approval by frequent
and long-continued applause.
First came the marshal, Lon Morton
with his aids, Frank Murphy of Santa
Rosa and Colonel Fl. f. Burns of the San
Francisco Exempt Fire Department. Then
came the red-shirted Exempts of San Fran.
cisco, headed by their own band. The
long lines drew by ropes the old Exempt
fire engine, rendered gorgeous by floral
decorations. Next was the Healdsburp
Exempt fire company with its engine
beautiful in the wealth of roses which the
''boys" had artistically placed so thickly
as to almost hide the "oid machine.n
The second division was headed by the
Park band of Petaluma, which preceded
Company E, N. G. c., of Santa Rosa. The
boys marched well, like old veterans, and