The age-herald., 1900-05-15
FIRST DAY, A SUCCESS The Midway and Its Many At-
 fractions. GRAND ILLUMlNATlONS AT NIGHT Grand Street Parade Pre- oeeded the Formal Opening-Many Beautiful
 Displays in Merchants Row.
 Continues All Week.
GRAND LAMENTATIONS AT NIGHT

sss l* ToDAYs PROGRAMME. 1 p. m.-Gates open. Grand concert by
 Memoli's band
 to D. m.-Confetu carnival on the
 Midway.
 p. m.-High dive.
 4:SO D. m.-Thrllling act on spiral
 tower
 6 p. m.-Gates close for afternoon. D. m.-Gates open.
 9:30 D. m.-High dive.
 10 D. m.-Thrillng act spiral tower. :
 to Il D. m.-Grand concert, illumina-
 tions and confetti carnival.
 Il D. m.-Gates close.
 | < $ 2 . q .
 The Elks' street fair and trades carnival,
 with its many attractions, is in full
 blast, and will continue throughout the
 week. The opening yesterday attend-
 ed by fitting ceremonies, and marked the
 beginning of perhaps the most successful
 entertainment of similar nature ever held in Birmingham.
 The jolly Elks, those happy fellows whose
 motto is fun and frolc with plenty of seri- ousness when the occasion demands, are in their jolliest mood, and are everywhere at the same time, and are doing the honors with their usual gallantry. The midway, with it's din of noise arising | from the spoilers thrilling announcement | and the merry beat of the tom tom, to say | nothing of the various wind instruments, | Is already a popular rendezvous, and offers 1 to the visitor many wonderful things to l be seen and heard. Its cosmopoltanism Is | emphasized by the many strange people who are seen strolling through the streets. The illuminations, especially the beautiful electrical effect produced at the main en- trance last night were the prettiest ever seen in Birmingham, and attracted great attention, while the crowds were immense
 and bespeak liberal patronage throughout the week.
 The opening of the fair, which took place promtply at l o'clock, was preceded by the formal ceremonies, consisting of grand street parade, which was participated in by the members of the Birmingham lodge, No. 79, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, | the city and police officials and some of the | Midway attractions. l The Parade l The parade was formed promtply at 12 | o'clock in the street near the main entrance l just below Eighteenth street, and lined up | as follows:
 Platoon of mounted policemen, under command of Chief Austin. Grand marshal of the day D. J. McCros- sin and his aids, Sid B. Jones and T. V. Boardman.
 Grambs military band. , Members of the local lodge of Elks on 1 foot, wearing straw hats with purple and white bands, the official coors and carry | ing canes tied with profusion of purple and white ribbon.
 | Grand Exalted Ruler of the Eiks B. NJ. l A n 1 and Mayor pro tenn Harry Jones in a hand | some carriage.
 Executive committee in carriages. Members of the board of aldermen in car | riages.
 Police commissioners in carriages. 1 Members of the local lodge in beautifully | decorated private conveyances Tally-ho with Elks Midway features consisting of the big ele- l phant, Queen. bearing more Elks and pretty | dancing girls from the Midway theaters | The procession moved along the official route carrying it through the principal | streets of the city, and shortly before 1 | o'clock halted in front of the main entrance.
 where an immense crowd had gathered. | Keys of City Delivered 1 The keys of the city were delivered to | Grand Exalted Ruler Allen by Acting 1 Mayor Jones, who in handing them over l said:
 l Grand Exalted Ruler Brother Elks and | Friends: l have been designated by the
 mayor, who is absent from the city on of- | fcial business, to perform the work of tcn- l dering the keys to the city to the Elks, | and 1t Is, therefore, my privilege and per- | sonal qualification to be present such 1 an occasion. the opening the Elks' Street Fair The Birmingham Lodge No 70, of the Elks, is the lodge to which the Elks of the world turn their eyes, for Birmingham lodge furnishes the grand exalted ruler of the order (cheers.) Tae grand exalted ruler is to the Elks what the mayor is to the city the governor to the state and the
 president to the United States He looks
 to the direction of the order and for it's protection To the visiting brothers and friends give you welcome. This is the best city in the south and in the United
 states far that. 1, Tn the name of the city l turn over to you the keys of Birmingham, wishing for the street fair the fullest need of suc- cess
 Grand Exalted Rulers Response The grand exalted ruler, in accepting the keys, made happy response, saying: "Ir. Mayor, Brother Elks and Citizens In the same spirit of hospitality that it is given Lhave the honor to accept the keys to the city My personal business has kept me during the last three or four days from noticing what the programme of exercises --------~-~-~->>-~>>~- ~~-~----~--~--~ tContinued on Second Page). -