Evening star., 1896-07-16
NEW GONzAaA COLLEGE HALL.
The Lawn Fete for Its BENEFIT Opened
Brilliantly Last NiKht.


The annual lawn fete for the benefit Of
the new Gonzaga College Hall opened last
evening with all the usual Accomplishments
of an affair of this description. The lawn
fete Is held on the drill grounds. adjoining
the college and St. Aloysius' Church. on I
street near North Capitol, and If last
nights enthusiasm over the work and at
tendance may be taken as a marker, the
event this year will eclipse all similar af-
fairs ever given in the past for this pur-
pose.
The grounds presented a picturesque and
brilliant scene when the doors were open
ed last evening. Innumerable booths, dec
Grated with the brightest of cosors and
waited upon by pretty girls and mAtrons,
in fetching costumes, dotted the wide ex-
panse of ground. while special features,
such as the sliding elephant, the merry-3o-
round and the paddle stand, helped to add
to the noise and hustle. Streamers of the
national colors hung everywhere. and ev-
cry color known to the ordinary eye and
to science as well was used In the fanciful
decorations of the tables and booths. The
big dance pavilion was filled to it's capac-
ity during the entire evening. or rather
until the weather man took a hand and
stopped the proceedings out of doors, ard
an excellent orchestra furnished the music
for the fete as we'll as for the dancing.
1t is estimated that nearly five thousand
people took in the lawn fete last night.
and it is thought that fully $4,000 will be
raised to apply on the erection and COM
pletion of the new hall. The crowd was not
only large last night. but 1t was generous
as well. and it was very rarely the case
that an appeal to the spectators pocket
book went unheeded. The fete Will run
for two weeks, and during that time Il
number Of specialties are promised dur
ing the evenings entertainment. Dancing
Is allowed on the pavilion from to 1890.
while a display of fireworks will begin each
al about
a half an hour. This display Was given last
night, and was heartily enjoyed by the
large crowd present
A number Of organizations have signifiei
their intention of attending the fete, and
among these may be mentioned the
Knights of St John, who will be in at
tendance next Monday evening and give
dress parade; the Emmet Guard. on Tues
day right, who will give an exhibition
drill and parade; the Ancient Order OF
expected to turn out about five hundred
members. and the Catholic Relief and Bene-
fetal Association, on Thursday night. On
the night Of the 9th the fife and drum
corps o: ST. Paurs Catholic Church will
attend and furnish martial music, while on
the night of the 3Oth the Catholic Knights
of America of the District will attend In
a body, about 1900 strong; the Catholic
Benevolent Legion attending on the 3lst.
Cardinal Satolli has been rendered. an in
nights, and it IS quite likely that the IN
vitation will be accepted. in which event
he will attend with the legation staff some
evening next week Several promn nent
tention of being present during the fes-
tivities, and will make addresses. Among
the special features for the entertainment
of the crowds will be a fancy dancing ex-
SELL a cake walk and a watermelon eating
contest.