Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-02-28
IN A BLAZE OF LIGHT
Successful Inauguration of the Cycle
Show.
Five Thousand Persons Were Presen
at Last Nights Opening-A
Brilliant Scene.

| Five thousand persons visited the cycle
| show which was opened last evening in the
| Washington Light Infantry Armory. The
scene was a brilliant one and the display
was highly creditable Electric lights were
! arranged on all sides. suspended from the
| ceiling in groups, bordering signs, and in
| large clusters. Large iridescent signs hung
| in midair, floral decorations abounded and
| an immense quantity of bunting made a
| gala scene.
The bicycle girls We're out in full force,
and Were on a souvenir hunt. Pins, but
tons, badges, catalogues, illustrated book
| let's and photographs and many other ar
| ticles were offered by the obliging exhib-
| itors.
Very few of the thirty-1ve exhibitors in
the hall were without signs hanging over
| their stands, suspended from the ceiling,
and clearly readable from the opposite side
| of the hall While most of the signs were
made for the occasion, with temporary
use in mind. there were some elaborate de-
signs. One stand had large stained glass
affair. standing on an ornamental pedestal
The interior was illuminated and the light
ShOne through with most pleasant effect.
The musical program of the evening was
a very pleasing feature The District Ma
tfOnal Guard Band was in attendance, seat
| ed on the balcony, and played during the
evening.
booth is surrounded by railing, the panels
of which are made of bicycle pumps. AS
cap pieces handle bars are fastened to the
top of the rail. with large sprockets here
and there. The handle bars are lined with
all sorts of bells.
One exhibit gives a practical display of
acetyline for cycle lights row of a dozen
lamps in the rear of the stand being fed
by means of a small iron pipe from gen
eral reservoir.
One exhibit included pianos, and an au-
tomato device played ''rag-time'' music
during the course of the evening.
One criticism of the show that could be
made with some justice is that it lacks
novelties. The displays are merely colec-
lions of the wheels and attachments to be
found in the cycle shops about town. The
taste shown by the exhibitors in displaying
plants and palms striking. One booth
at the end of the hall was especially no.
| ieeable. Large palms are at each corner
while a number of smaller palms are scat
tered throughout the stand. The furniture
of the stand. the exhibits of wheels and
the general decorations all combine to pro-
duce good effect Little Johnnie
Grimes. perhaps the heaviest bicyclist in
the world. was conspicuous feature of this
exhibit. Another stand is prettily decorat-
cd. and the string of electric lights that are
overhead is partly hidden by a mass of
greens. young lady serves all patrons
with sample cups of tea and coffee and
waters. while almost at her elbow a man
Is ready to give samples of his tonic.
AS good as the exhibition was last even
ing, the show this evening is expected to
be much better. So much work remained
TO be done yesterday that it was with diff
Guilty some of the exhibitors We're able to
make any display at all.
The remainder of the week there will be
dancing in the locker room, east end of the
hall