The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-21
PLATTDKUrscHERs AT PLAY.
OpeainE Of the Annual Reunion nj
SchustEon Park, Union Hill.

bchuotEon Park, Union Hill.
More than $4,000 Plattdeutschers went to
schuetzen Park. Union Hill. N. j., Yesterday
to attend tho opening Of the annual meeting OF
the Volksfest Verein. They loaded UP the
trolley cars until these were stalled for lack Of
power and arrived by staee. on foot and awheel.
The festival lasts Ave days. and yesterday was
only the first one.
Every year for twenty-five years back the
Plattdeutsche yolksfest verein has had a
celebration. The organization has mem ber-
ship OF over 10000. There are scores Of clubs
and Schuetzenb unds which are represented in
the great Vator verein. and 100 OF these minor
societies had over 400 delegates on the ground.
To-day many more societles are expected and
the park. with It's 32-acre fair ground and miles
OF play ground. win probably be taxed to its
utmost capacity. This IL reception day and
the grandest day OF oil.
When young man got inside the grounds
Yesterday. he found four young ladies with
dark eyes full OF sparkle. who at once made
for him and. while he stood abashed. pinned
bouquet to the lapel Of his coat.
Ten cents. pleaseV' they demanded. and
none escaped paying. but the moro daring vic
Tins, who were agile. got something better for
their money. Music further down the
grounds. set TO dance measures. attracted
great part OF the crowd. and the younger
couples took dance steps. hand in hand. on the
dirt walk as they headed for the great covered
platform from which tho music came.
The dance floor was $50 feet by rs feet
Around It was railing. and floor space was re-
served for spectators. who. sitting at the little
rectangular tables, kept the many walters busy
bringing beer.
The big dancing space was damned with
couples. 1t was free TO oil. and though young
people had most Of the fun. rortly men and
portlier women swung around the floor with q
grace OF action that put many younger pair
to shame. Down the paths and at the fair
grounds great. good-natured crowd looked
at a tight-rope walker. and then rushed to see
the antics OF q clown who displayed much
skill as sword tosser and juggler. There
were many other shows and az each appeared.
the crowd headed that way with rush.
Thare was q man there who advertises as a
real Filipino wild man. an eater OF raw flesh
and blood. but he didn't do avery big business.
Tho 'tinest cake walkers in the world" how
ever. got big patronage and the shooting
galleries were all crowded.
There were teams OF athletes who did stunts
| on horizontal bars. at long and high jumping.
| throwing and ladder climbing. 1t was aston
| ishinR to the youngsters to see the gray
| headed ones walk of with prizes and trophies.
What pleased the boys best. was a high.
| creased pole with a ring around the top where
| were displayed q lot Of toys. baseballs and
bats. To get one boy climbed the pole and
| touched his choice. In spiteof the grease many
a bare-legged urchin won prize to the dsmay
! OF the owner.
There were almost innumerable chances for
those who had the gambling instinct. including
| sweat boards and roulette wheels,
| There were twenty-five policemen in uni
| form. and score OF !eruty sherifrs and con-
stables on hand. but up to dark they had moth
ing to do. they said. except onco in while to
escort man to the gate and tell him to return
no more. 1t was q very orderly crowd. and
| though vast quantities Of beer were swallowed
| It wasn't enough to more than quicken voices
| into q song from the Yaterland.
Before dark there was balloon ascension. al
| night there was big display OF fireworks. and
the lake. with It's feet OF boats. was illumi'
| mated.
To-day there is going to be prize bowling. q
fantastic ballet. target shooting and nympi
| dancing. besides the grand reception. Or
Tuesday there will be a tub race by six younf
ladies. an Olympic ballet, and acrobatic antics
This is also jubilee day. Wednesday is King
| day, and 1t starts Off with Punch and Jud,
show and winds up with the bathing o
| Nymphs. Then there is two days "sobe
up" and see the town." and farewell OF
| Sunday next