The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-04-19
FOR A BIG Time.
Topeka May Have a Roman Car
niYal Next Fall.
Commercial Club Committee
Takes Initial Steps.
WOULD BE A NOVELTY.
No Worn Out and OverwOrked
Street Fair.
H. C. Lockwood Explains His
Plan in Detail.

Plans for giving an immense speetac-
ular Roman carnival in Topeka this fall
were discussed at the meeting of the
Commercial club entertainment commit
tee last night. II. c. Lockwood, the sue
cessful street fair promoter of Wlcn1Jas
Kansas, met with the members OF the
Topeka committee to outline his plans
FOR such an entertainment. His plans
were very faVorably received by the
members of the committee with whom
he met, and special meeting OF the
Commercial club Will be called at once
to definitely decide whether or not TO ac-
cept his proposition.
The Roman carnival as outlined by
1dr- lockwood viii be $4,000 show and
win in all probability be a drawing card
that would bring thousands of people
into the city as visitors from distance
as far as 200 miles.
One of the features Of the Roman car
niVal will be an electrical parade several
blocks long. The parade VIII be formed
OF nearly two dozen floats that are built
to run on the tracks Of the street rail-
way in order that a connection may be
had with the trolley wires to illuminate
the thousands of incandescent globes
which are worked into the floats.
1t is planned to illustrate by tableaux
in which the parts are taken by living
persons, some Of the more important
historical events Elaborate costumes
viii be furnished to accomplish these
plans.
Another feature Of the Roman carnival
is the plan to hold free street shows OF
a high class. Arrangements viii be
made to place about Is free street shows
in various parts of the business portion
Of the city in order to give every one
who visits the city an opportunity OF
Witnessing them. Only performers Of
the highest order Will be employed for
the free entertainments, and one of the
largest appropriations Of the Roman
carnival association VIII be for the
chr
ers.
Adjoining the enclosed streets viii be
q big Rom an amphitheater in which there
will be spectacular production Of the
old Roman sports and combats together
with hurdle and chariot races. Ranged
on all sides ofthe amphiteater, encircling
the arena viii be Is sideshOws. The en-
trance to the amphitheater win be charg-
ed for at an admission price of TO cents,
the same as the 10 cent admission that
has always been charged to gain en-
trance to the midway grounds at pre-
vious street fairs. This show will how
ever be worth the money for in addi-
ton to the free show inside the amphithe-
alter. there win be arrangen ents for
three other big free shows on the in
side.
The dates for the Roman carnival
have not yet been set, but it will prOba-
bly, be during the middle Of September.
Mr.. Lockwood will devote four months
time to working " this carnival
A baggage car viii be secured to be
carted over all the railroads leading 10
Topeka to be used as an advertising car.
The advertising will be done as a cir
Gus Big canvas signs will be hung on
the sides and a big advertising crew TO
distribute posters and cover bill boards
IN all the cities and towns within ra-
dius Of $50 TO 200 miles viii be kept out
for about three months previous to the
show.
Arrangements will be made to have
Liberatti's big band here at the Audi
torium at that time.
The entertainment committee decided
last night to report unfavorably to the
club on the proposition to donate 81, 600
to the Kansas National Guard to secure
the encampment at Topeka this year.
The refusal of the commander to agree
TO give sham battle, the only thing
that could be advertised to draw a
crowd of visitors to Topeka at that
tine, is partly responsible for the unfa-
Vorable report.