The herald., 1897-10-27
THE DENVER FESTIVAL
vAWCETT ROBINSON GIVES AN
INTERESTING RECITAL
Some Points Of Resemb blance With La
Fiesta-others Dissimilar-They
Danced on the Street


Fawcett Robinson, whose valuable
work contributed so materially to the
success of the last Fiesta, has just re-
turned from Denver, where he has been
actively associated with the recent
celebration of the festival of Mountain
and Plain, which was held October 9Th,
9TH and Sth. Mr.. Robinson gives very
interesting account of the festivity, in
which certain invidious comparisons
inevitably obtrude themselves, and his
recital is backed up by some figures
which are convincing and therefore
worthy of serious consideration.
The Denver festival lasts but three
days, and the railroad and other statis-
tics go to show that this year not less
than 100000 visitors were present, among
them Governor Tyrrell of New Mexico.
the governor of Colorado and many
noted residents of Mexico. AS each Wis
itor probably spent not less than $40 in
the city during his stay, and as the cost
of the celebration was not over $4,000.
the net profit to the city of Denver was
in the neighborhood of $146,S00
Allowing considerable leeway in the
matter of figures one way and another,
the fact remains that Immediately at
the close of the celebration the mer-
chants held a meeting and pledged from
themselves alone, 5000 for the festival
next year, and everybody is so wildly
enthusiastic over tine proposition as an
advertising agent as well as a means
for general enjoyment that they expect
to raise $4,000 toward the expense next
year. The festivities of the first day
consisted of the pioneers parade, which
included Indians and early incidents of
Denver. There was a manufacturers
division, one for commerce that included
fruits and products generally of Colo
RADIO; then the mining division, that
was long and very elaborate, represent
ed by ten floats from the different coun-
ties and mining camps, and the Chinese
division came at the last, for which all
the costumes, properties and regalias
were imported from San Francisco. 1t
was not as elaborate as that here, but it
made a great effect there. Every di-
vision was led by an allegorical float.
"Bungling Bros circus" occupied at
tention the second day, and men in cages
dressed as animals created untold Joy,
and the men in line were in comic cos
tunes. Another feature of the burlesque
parade was a clever take-off or parody
on certain weak points in the munich
pal government, the board of public
works, etc. There were also some trick
a. sa1,
this unique procession wound up with
a burlesque dragon with a mammoth
head and a body of $50 feet of garden
hose, operated by men whose costumes
were Chinese and whose faces were, for
the most part Irish.
The same evening the great bal
masque was held, and where do you
suppose? On the street in front of the
capitol. But then the street in front of
the capitol in Denver is not Spring
street. nor yet Main street, but a nice,
smooth. even street that is just like a
floor, and it was simply rolled and waxed
canvas was stretched over it, and there
they danced the night through to the
music of two bands.
Two grand stands were erected on
either side of the street extending out
over the sidewalks and each $50 feet
long That section of the street was
closed and the seats were sold. Twelve
calcium lights were arranged at inter-
walls, and different colored mediums
were placed at different times over the
lights, making them changeable and a
result that was indescribably beautiful
at the same time, and overhead was the
moonlight, for they have a reliable
weather prophet in Denver and when
he said it would be fair night, it was.
During the afternoon of the third day
there We're games of various sorts in
front Of this grand stand and band con-
tests, and in the evening was the great
parade of the "Slver Serpent" The
"Silver Serpent is a swagger social or
ganization in Denver whose members
call themselves it's Slaves and the
parade consisted of interesting, original
and unique floats, all manned by the
members of the club, all different and all
beautiful in design and execution.
The Festival of Mountain and Plain is
In charge of director general, an exec
utive committee and subcommittee.
There is queen, but no court. In fact,
there were two queens this year, one
the queen of the plains, who was repre-
sented this year by Miss Hurd recently
from California; the other, the queen of
the serpents, which was enacted by Miss
Hughes.
Then there were thirty maids of honor.
elected by ballot from the different
counties, who were met at the trains as
they reached the city by a committee
of ladies for that purpose, driven to the
best hotel in town and feted and dined
as long as they stayed These maids
of honor were driven in carriages fol-
lowing the queens carriage in the pro-
cession, and are all alleged to have been
handsome.
The queens costumes were rich and
beautiful; her carriage was decorated
with flowers, satin and gold lace; she
had twenty outriders in colonial cos
tune. and advance guard, and a foot
man with javelin. who rode behind
and were dressed in fancy costumes.
The city was brilliantly Illuminated
with electricity calcium lights and two
search lights. The money raised for this
years festival was collected in adjoin-
ing counties as well as Arapahoe, the
one in which Denver is located There
were no petty jealouses between the
counties, but everybody put his shoulder
to the wheel and raised the money. and
then all Joined in and celebrated to-
gether And the police board, which
controls such matters in Denver c1ocad