The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-10-08
OPENING NIGHT
A GREAT SUCCESS
Crowds Far Exceed All Antici-
patton.
EVERY ONE ON PLEASURE BENT.
Indications Point to the Fact That Large
Number of Visitors from the
State Came in Yes
icrday.

.he opening night OF the great Rich
,mond Carnival and Free Street Fair OF
1901 bore impressive testimony to the
fact that the public recognizes that this
enterprise has been projected upon scale
not previously attempted hereabouts.
The crowds, the perfected preparations,
and the ail-pervading spirit of good fell
lowship and Carnival time gave assurance
that the project upon which the hearts
and thoughts of Richmond have been set
for weeks past will be a success large
enough and full enough to measure up
IL the most sansuine anticipauons of the
splendid men who have given unstinting-
iy Of their valuable time for the advance
ment OF the town they love.
One OF the most pleasing features OF
the beautifully Kaleidoscope picture
which the thronged Carnival Avenue pre-
scented last night to newspaper men, who
have been somewhat in touch with the
fight which Richmonds best men have
been making to have in the Carnival a
creditable and worthy expression of the
life and activity and hospitality of this
busy town, was the thought that these
evidences of success must have beer
most pleasing TO every earnest Carnival
promoter from President a. ii. Meyer
down to the humblest that have but a
hand to push the good work along.
THE STREET THRONGED.
The people we're there-lots Of people
and all sorts of people. and with plenty
of people a Carnival is a success. Every
one was surprised and gratiiied at the
tremendous crowds OH Broad Street last
night which covered the street from the
City Hall TO the Eiffel Tower beyond the
Masonic Temple--sdewallls. roadways and
all. As compared with the same day of
last years Carnival many conservatively
estimated that there were third or q
half more people on the street. And GER
tain ii is that n very considerable num-
Der of them were visitors to the Carnival,
for Inquiries and interest in old buildings
and landmarks Indicated that number
had never been to the city before.
A G0oD-NATURED CROWD.
The crowd was a most jolly. good-na-
tured one. There was spirit that every
ona was himself or herself, as the case
might be. on pleasure bent and everybody
felt a Willingness to help along every
BODY clse in that quest.
While there Was freedom and abandon
which told OF the holiday season which
ALI felt, very few forgot themselves SO
Tar as to go beyond the. conveniently elias
tic barriers which conNenuonality lays
down for occasions of TINS character.
Late AT night there We're some indications
in one or two instances of a tendency
whole the crowd was q remarkably Well
behaved one OF course, there We're horns
and various other devices for the manu-
facture of noise, which took delight IN
footing their ioudest in unsuspecung
ears but the chances were that the party
caught was at the time bent upon SINH
larry catching some one else, so there
could be no offense.
Confetti was in evidence in considerable
a,,; i'm MIC
lsavenents on central Broad Street had
almost a snow-covercd appearance. Very
few took the trouble to brush from coat
or dress the shining little particles that
failed TO improve the appearance OF gen
tlemen's attire, but which, in nearly every
instance, had a strikingiy pretty and be
coming effect in connection with the cos
tunes Of the ladies. More than one young
ledy found her hair full OF tiny shining
bits that told of the hearty greeting OF
some acquaintance or more probably INC
cordial overture of some young fellow,
an entire stranger, whose attentions OF
this character on another occasion would
have won for him a threshing at the
hands of her escort.
SIDE SHOWS RIGHT IN 1T.
The attendance upon the side shows lar
surpassed all anticipation, especially for
a first night. They did We'll, wonderfully
as the night wore on became well TILED
with nickels and dimes and quarters. II
the week continues as it began their pro-
prietors will carry away most pleasant
memories Of the Richmond Carnival OF
1891.
OF course there is an especial pleasure
in watching the pleasure of the children
apon an occasion of this character
Merry grounds are an unfailing spring
of pleasure that never run dry. Yestcr
day afternoon and last night the little
folks Were tasting in many instances for
the first time the joys of these and other
similar mysterious pleasures which some
grown folks have gotten SO old that they
have forgotten and others were never
young enough to know.
The illumination of the street was very
successful and effective. While possibly
not so brilliant as last year, when a larger
number of arc light were used, there was
a quiet and very pleasing effect that was
produced by the lines of incandeseent
globes across the street at the middle OF
every square Over all and beyond all
the beautifully illuminated tower was the
feature of the street. Its graceful lines
showed up in good style against the
blackness of the sky beyond.
The booths presented q vastly changed
and improved appearance yesterday and
last night from what they did on the
day before And any temporary struc-
lures of this character always look bet
ter when in use and full of people than
when empty and unused
The opening night of the Carnival was
a success. a great success
THE MASON COMPANY S BOOTH.
Among the many attractive booths on
Broad Street the pavilion Of the proprie-
tors OF the Mason remedies attracted con-
Siderable attention. A very tasteful and
attractive display had been made of the
diHerent articles and preparations which
this concern put up. The FIVE special pro-
pr1etary articles for which it he's made a
name were introduced to many new
friends and warmly welcomed by many
old ones. These remedies have during
the last few years greatly widened the
circle OF their acquaintance They are
put UP IN convenient size and form and
fave an enriahle reputation won by their
..terlins merits.