The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-09-01
CROWNED AMID THE ACCLAMA-
TIONs OF HIS MANY LOYAL
SUBJECTS.
THE FESTIVAL OF CERES
INAUGURATED AMID THE GLARE
OF LIGHTS AND GLITTER
OF JEWELS.
STRANGERS FLocKING IN TO SEE.
Streets Crowded With an Eager
ThrOng When Incandescent
Lights Were Turned On.

King Carnival and his queen are crowned
They rule the city. The festival of Ceres is
lnaugurated. week of novel festivities is
before the loyal subjects of the realm. Amid
the glare of lights, the glitter of Jewels the
simmer of satns and the perfume of flow
ers, the ceremony Of coronation was per-
formed at the exposition last evening. Music
and song added to the impressiveness of the
occasion, and the enthusiasm of a loyal pop
ulace knew no bounds. A harvest festival
which shall be an exponent Of the customs
of this locality, and yet combine with them
the merrymakng of the continental carnivals,
is rather daring experiment. 1t will be
an entire success IL the opening ceremonies
are any promise for the balance of the week.
The only criticism that the people made last
night was that, apparently, the whole popua-
ton of Minneapolis wanted to see the corona
ton, and the Exposition building will only
hold about 5000 people. Still, many came
hoping to get glimpse of their majesties,
and went away disappointed but not ill-tem-
pered, for the succeeding events of the week
will give all an opportunity to see the gra-
cious countenances of the royal personages
and all may view their rich apparel and Jew
| els.
The coronation ceremony was the event of
| the evening, rather overshadowing the really
excellent musical programme. There was
nothing to mar the success of the entire pro-
| gramme. The costumes were rich enough
/ for a real king and queen The retainers
were also handsomely attired and the various
! persons who participated in the ceremony
performed their parts in a manner which
made one believe that they must have lived
in royal courts all their lives 1t was
novel and impressive spectacle, and the vast
| audience entered heartily into the spirit of
! the occasion.
| At the hour appointed last evening, the
! principal streets of the city burst into bloom
of Greek fire and bunting, and AN enthusiastic
| crowd of sight-seers lined the Streets II had
been the opinion that the crowds would
| hardly commence to arrive in the city until
| Tuesday, especially from the fact that no
| street programme had been prepared for
| the first night. From early morn until late
| at night trainoads of travellers were unloaded
at the union depot Trains of twelve to ff-
J teen coaches were the rule and every coach
/ was filed to its utmost capacity. From
! $3.50 until 10 o'clock last evening the lam
/ at the union depot was intense, the lines Of
those awaiting friends extending from the
1 gates in the basement to the doors the
upper floor. The arrivals were forced to march
! through lines of watchers, and many familiar
greetings of friends were the result
The strangers seemed more than surprised
! at what they witnessed the streets All
Minneapolis was out to meet and welcome the
visitors, and the stream of carriages, bicycles
| and pedestrians pouring back and forth on
Nicollet avenue did much toward taking the
| place of a regular parade. At o'clock the
! 1ncandescent lamps and Greek fire were set
| going. The stores with their decorations Of
/ 1ered an exhibition worth going many miles
! to see, and the people were out in eager ex-
| pectation.
| At early hour the procession was headed
/ in the direction of the Exposition building.
! The doors were opened at O'Clock, and al
ready large crowd had congregated at the
entrance AS soon the doors were opened
steady stream of people began pouring into
the spacious room, and only the closest at
tention Of a large force of police prevented
what threatened to become JAM At 8
o'clock the area in front of the main en-
trance was thronged, and at this juncture
many began to realize that not all who wished
were destined to find admittance, even though
they held tickets emitting them to seats The
police estimate that nearly as many people
were unable to get into the hall as could be
accommodated, and many went away disap-
| pointed. These helped throng the streets,
and accordingly their presence was not lost
At 1890 the concert was over, and again
a long stream of humanity made its appear
| ance. The exit was, however, orderly. The
street company had anticipated the close
! of the entertainment, and had collected long
row of cars at Second street. where the
crowds were picked up as they appeared.
The illumination of Nicollet avenue was a
| decided success. From Tenth street to Bridge
| square, every block was lighted with strong
red light which was modified be the gay
! colors of the store windows.