The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-03-29
FOR CLUB WOMEN
Elaborate Arrangements For
General Federation Meeting.
California People Promise to
Guido Former Hospitality.
FEAST OF FLOWERS.
Will Furnish Feature of Enter
tainment For Visitors.
Arrangements Made to Stop at
Points of Interest.

sixth biennial meeting of the General
Federation of Womens clubs reach Los
Angeles they will find the city in it's
carnival Dress Its annual fete, La
Fiesta de los Flores, occurs the first
week in May
Preparations for the event occupy
months and the work of street decora-
ton begins several days before the
opening of the festival Light scaffold-
ing is erected as a foundation for floral
designs; wires are stretched for floating
thousands of gay banners in red, green
and yellow-the Fiesta colors-frame-
work is placed about doorways and
public entrances to be swathed in these
same tFi-colored buntings; wagon loads
of date palms, fan palms, pepper boughs,
cypress and mountain laurel, busy hum
dreds of worl1men in decking the city
which in its gala dress presents a scene
unique and almost oriental in color Ell
feet.
The object of La Fiesta de los Flores
(Which means simply feast of fiowers')
is to depict in a living picture or spec
tacular pageant something which shall
reflect the poetic side of the Great
Southwest and Pacific Coast and which
shall in no way be a copy of the New
Orleans Mardi Gras, nor of any other
flower fete under the sun.
The people of Los Angeles have also
elected that this shall be time of
merrymaking and innocent revelry,
that the world, which is at this season
here represented. may learn from the
happy hearted children of the south
that Americans once a year-at least IN
one corner of this great cOuntry-knoW
how to enjoy themselves amid flowers
and under sunny skies in the light. in
consequent fashion of a less intense
people.
The first Fiesta was held in 1894 and
in that as in those Immediately follow
ing the central idea was the romance
and history of the outhwest-the Incas,
Aztecs, Pueblos, California Missions.
touches of Spanish and Mexican life;
and to this was added the magnificent
barbaric splendor and an indescribable
wealth of floral decoration.
Later Fiestas, still having these fea-
lures, have given prominence TO the
long procession of fower-covered veh1-
cles, a spectacle which no other city
in the world has accomplished and one
which visitors from less favored chimes
will scarcely forget.
The programme for La Fiesta this
year is much the same as upon previous
occasions, but an entirely new feature
will be introduced.
THURSDAY. May 1. the opening day,
the Ellxs, who have a large membership
in southern California, will parade en-
masque, and their costumes Will tax
the ingenuity of those skilled in produce
ing the fantastic and groteSque- TINS
amusing exhibition will be one of the
first entertainments offered the visiting
club women. The floral pageant VIII De
given Friday morning and will include
the Chinese entry as well which is
scarcely second in interest to the floral
display itself.
1t is not only the spectacle afforded
the eye in hundreds of fiower-decked
conveyance, from an English drag to
a two wheeled burro cart, which amazes
but the reflection that every one of the
millions of blossoms used in lavish or
namentation is fresh from garden or
field Nowhere, even as background,
is the paper substitute allowed place
There is no lack of flowers for wreath
ing. festooning. garlanding and entire
~ enveloping Vehlcles OF every deScflp-
ton; and as the professions pass sister
blossoms adorn every garden and way
side so that the nlyriads of roses, ger
aniums, carnations, lilies, V1olets,
acacias nargueriteS, and fnnumerable |
blossoms which are disposed in artistic |
decoration upon floats, coaches and car
riages (often 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 insure repe- |
tition 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 Presi- |
dent Mckinley, the body of which was |
of white carnations. Garlands of white |
rosebuds and ferns added the finishing |
touches to the Ornamentatlon-
And the Chinese portion of the parade |
beggars description 1t is without |
doubt the most unusual feature of La |
Fiesta. and could not be produced else
where than on the Pacific coast The |
Chinese residents of Los Angeles enter |
into the spirit of the affair with an en- !
thusiasm which renders their display |
a rival in splendor to their grandest |
ceremonials. To its effectiveness they |
bring their robes of state. their richest |
banners heavy with priceless embroid- |
cries in silver and gold, their Josses |
and their orchestraS. and most wonder
full of ALI their awe-inspiring, man. |
manipulated Chinese dragon, 225 feet |
long.
AT former Fiestas the Indian division
was one of the striking novelties. At |
Der of Pueblo Indians were brought to |
Los Angeles at an enormous expense
and with their squaws, papooses, rude |
agricultural and war implements, |
scanty attire and aboriginal character
istics added much to the picturesque
ness of the pageant. Whether this VIII
be a part of this years Fiesta is as
yet undecided. A caValcade of Mexican
cabelleros is promised as usual, and |
the glitter and tinsel, gold lace and |
silver mountings of Mexican trappings, |
the sombrero and zerape give touch
of color and form an essential part of
the carnivars attractions
But no description of La Fiesta con-
veys it's charm and novelty in the eyes
Oh the It's atmosphere anu liz
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 8. and each |
evening the city will be brilliant with |
special illuminations incidental to the /
carnival.
RECEPTION PLANS.
Thursday evening May l, the club |
women will be entertained with a for
NAL reception at the Womans club |
Ennse and "Wednesday MAY 1 an all |