The Washington times., 1902-03-28
The Opening Day.

Thursday, May l. the opening day the
| Elks, who have large membership in
Southern California. will parade en-
masque and their costumes will tax the
ingenuity of these skilled in producing
the fantastic and grotesquc. This anus
ing exhibition will be one of the first en-
terfainments offered the visiting club wo-
men. The floral Pageant will be given
Friday morning. and will include the
Chinese entry as we'll. which is sea rcely
second in interest to the floral display
itself.
II is not only the spectacle afforded the
eye in hundreds of flower decked con-
veyances. from an English drag to a two
wheeled burro cart. which amazes, but
the reelection that every enc of the mil
lions of blossoms used in lavish orna-
mentation is fresh from garden or field.
Nowhere, even as a background, Is the
paper substitute allowed a place. There
is no lack of flowers for wreathing fes-
looming. garlanding and entirely enyeloD-
ing vehicles of every description: and as
the professions pass sister blossoms adorn
every garden and wayside so that the
nyriads of roses, geraniums, carnations,
lilies, violets. acacias, marguerites- and
innumeranle blossoms. which are dis
posed in artistic decoration upon floats.
coaches and carriages toftcn hiding them
completely from view are scarcely
missed.
The display Of flowers at last years
Fiesta was little short of marvellous, and
the late rains this season ensure a repeti-
tion of the miracle. but one can scarce
hope to see a duplicate, in beauty or
wealth of decoration. of the landau which
was occupied by the late President Nc
Kinley. the body of which was entirely
concealed beneath its covering OF white
carnations. Garlands of white rosebuds
and ferns added the finishing touches to
the ornamentation.
And the Chinese portion of the parade
beggars description. II is without doubt
the most unusual feature OF La Fiesta,
and could not be produced elsewhere than
on the Pacific Coast The Chinese resi-
dents of Los Angeles enter into the spirit
of the affair with an enthusiasm which
renders their display a rival in splendor
TO their grandest ceremonials. To its eff
fectiveness they bring their robes OF
state their richest banners, heavy with
priceless embroideries in silver and gold,
their losses and their orchestras, and
most wonderful of all. their awe-inspir
ing manipulated Chinese dragon,
225 feet long
The Indian Division.
At former Fiestas the Indian division
was one of the striking novelties. At
least upon one occasion a large number of
Pueblo Indians were brought TO Los
Angeles at an enormous expense, and with
their squaws, papooses, rude agricultur-
al and war implements, scanty attire, and
aboriginal characteristics added much TO
the picturesqueness of the pageant.
Whether this will be part of this year s
Fiesta is as yet undecided. cavalcade
of Mexican cabelleros is promised as
usual, and the glitter and tinsel, gold lace
and silver mountings Of Mexican trap
pings, the sombrerO and zerape give
touch of color and form an essential part
of the carnivals attractions.
But no description of La Fiesta con-
veys its charm and novelty in the eyes
of the stranger; its atmosphere and the
pervasive spirit Of carnival joy is neces-
sary to full appreciation.
An opportunity will be given club women
to see all that is of interest. The city
will remain en- fete during the entire
week; decorations will not be removed
until after May s, and each evening the