The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-07-05
SONS OF OLD SWEDEN
FOURTH Is ENTHUSIASTICALLY
OBSERVED ON FAIR
GROUNDS
NATIONAL GAMES PLAYED
Music, REGULATIONS and Dances
While Away Pleasant After
nOOn-Judges Select
May Queen

The buildings at the state fair grounds
were decorated yesterday with the yell
low and blue of Sweden and over the
east end of the amphitheater building a
Swedish flag waved, while on the west
end the Stars and Stripes were I'M
furled to the breeZes. Fully 1000 of the
sons and daughters Of Sweden were as
sembled to join in the national festival
of their mother country as well as to
celebrate the anniversary of the birth Of
the country of their adoption. Twas a
gala day and the Swedish maidens
dressed in the different costumes of their
native country made pleasant sight.
The festivals was arranged by the
Gotha society, of Minneapolis, and Har-
ry A. Lund, secretary of the society,
was master of ceremonies. The Svea
Military band, of Minneapolis, furnished
the music for the occasion, playing the
national music of Sweden,
Shortly after noon while the crowd was
engaged in raising the May pole, high
wind came up, causing a panic among
the women folk and a good deal of eX-
element among the male contingent.
The May pole mad just been raised and
the red, white and blue was waving
over the national banner of Sweden.
The wind caught he pole and blowing
it over, threatened to lower both flags.
But the Sons of Svea were too patriotic
to see the two flags they love so dearly
trailed in the mud. They FASTENED to
brace the pole and the flags of the two
nations continued to wave over the
grounds. In the old depot building,
which was used for dining nall,
still more exciting time was had. Here
many of the people were engaged in
eating their dinners when the storm
struck. The wind caught the tables
and. turning them over, caused a great
commotion among the walters. The
storm which was OF a few minutes du-
ration passed over, and the ceremonies
of the day were resumed.
Nearly all the national games and
dances were played and the way in
which the crowd joined in them. showed
that they had not entirely forgotten the
mother country The field was too wet
for field sports and all the games were
played under roof. Those which could
not be given under roof were called off.
The Swedish Singing Society of Mime
apolis sang the students march, 'Sto
Stark" Hear Us Svea," and other of
the national hymns of Sweden. The
singing was led by Henry Anderson and
called forth a great deal OF praise.
Richard Rosengren, the celebrated
Swedish actor. of Minneapolis. gave three
humorous recitations which called forth
a great deal of applause. He received
several encores and finally was COM
PEELED to refuse to be called back again.
His recitations were given in the Swed-
ish language.
The Forester teams of Cedar camp
and Bridal Veil camp. M. w. A. entered
into a competitive drill for a prize Of
$25. The drilling of both teams was good,
but the audience awarded the prize to
the team from Cedar camp.
The choosing of a May queen was
another part Of the programme Which
caused a great deal Of amusement for
the crowd. Twelve comely maidens were
candidates for the honor of the day. 1t
was a hard task for the judges to de-
termine which of the twelve by her
beauty was entitled to the place, but at,
last 1t was accomplished. The judges
finally decided that Miss Anna Willene,
of Minneapolis. was the prettiest girl
of the twelve and she was crowned the
Queen of May" after the Swedish Gus
tom. "
The evening programme consisted OF
the incarnation and triumphal entry of
King Gustayus Vasa into Stockholm.
The king was represented. by e. Magnus,
of Minneapolis, and the Swedish Sing
ing society furnished the chorus After
the incantation a beautiful display of
fireworks was given, several hundred
dollars having been spent for the pur-
chase of the pieces, which concluded the
Swedish national festival and the cele-
bration Of the American independence.