The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-03-15

grandeur that every Topeka project
takes on when the public is inspired
with interest in it. Topeka's Midsum-
mer Fair is to be no commonplace do
ings.
Nothing that the brain culture and
taste of this town applies itself to, can
be that. Grace and beauty at once be-
come the distinguishing features of ev-
cry public festival in Topeka as soon as
the plans are laid before the people to
work on.
It is the intention that this fair shall
be given the last week in July or there
abouts, after the rains of the early
summer are over the dates talked
about being from the 25th to the 3Oth
of July. At this time the brisk trade Of
the business men has largely Stacked
up, and gives them an opportunity to
give their attention to the fair. Those
dates may be changed on further con-
sideration, but at present they are look
ed upon as the best, as they give fully
four months of preparation for the fair.
Every day and evening is to have
some special feature, but the gem of
the whole week will be what is talked
Of for the last night of the fair, and
may we'll be called the Midsummer
Nights Fiesta
This is to consist of 100 boats or more
decorated with garlands of flowers. col
ored lanterns, ribbons, banners. tinsel
and draPery, on the same principle as
the carriages in the floral parades of
the Fall Festival These are to be occu-
pied by young ladies in gala costume,
in cOlOrS appropriate to the decorations,
the whole to be lit up with colored fire
burned on the banks of the stream.
Young men in sailor costume, white
duck or navy blue will row the boats.
Many larger craft built with fiat bot
toms, but their shape concealed and
prOfuse1y decorated, representing ale
gOricaI pictures and carrying bands of
mandolin and guitar players, will be in
6nT aTn fhaN will no
row boats, in which from four to six
men will furnish the motive power.
From the steep banks of Soldier creek
this pretty night spectacle can be wit
messed by fully % 900 people, and doubt
| less that many viii be there to see it.
| The admission fees alone from this
| spectacle at 10 cents apiece ought to
Although Soldier creek in daylight is
| not always a romantic looking stream,
/ at night it will be completely changed
| by the cOlOred lights reflected in the
| water and can be made one of the pref
| test sights Imaginable.
| AS stated in a previous article, gas
| pipe arch can be easily built across the
/ stream and at night lit up with red and
| yellow incandescent lights, will provide
| an effect picturesque to a high degree.
The procession of boats. as proposed
| can form in the west park across Kan
sas avenue and move down stream past
| the park to the three bridges thence
| returning, the whole spectacle occupy
| ing an hour or more.
| This show can be repeated on the r1v-
/ er during Fall Festival as a Water
| Fete,' and as part of the dedication OF
| the new bridge, and thus be a means o.
entertaining our many visitors from Out
of the city on that occasion.
! Every night of the Midsummer Fail
some special feature can be produced
so as to bring the people out One eV-
ening a display of fireworks can be Civ
en-. On two of the other evenings, Mis-!
Georgia Browns Midsummer Nights