Los Angeles herald., 1907-05-11
THOUSANDS OF
GUESTS ATTEND
GRAND BALL
Venice Is Mecca Of
Shriners
Crowd So Great That Both Audito-
RUINS Are Required to Hold 1t.
Decorations Are Artistic
Triumph

Shriners-so many of them that even
a rapid calculating machine could not
have counted them all-went to Venice
last night for the grand finale OF Fiesta
week.
1t was the largest and most brilliant
ball ever given in Southern California
and the knight of the red fez was
king All of Venice belonged to him.
The little beach town with it's twfnkling
lights, gay colored bunting and Shriner
emblems, beamed welcome on the visit
ors and the Venetfans were there TO ado
their personal greeting
One auditorium was not nearly large
enough to hold all the mobiles and their
ladies, and both the big pav1llons were
turned over to the guests Everything
else in Venice was likewise bestowed
upon them, and to their nearts content
they enjoyed it.
Decorations Artistic Triumph
The Shriners of Venice have been
plannign for weeks over the decorations
for the auditorium, and the result was
an artistic triumph that did credlt 10
all. The big auditorium was canop1ed
with flags, bunting and quantities OF
beautiful blossoms were used. Inc
floor had been prepared until there was
not a flaw in it, and he dancers glided
over it's smooth surface to the strains
of excellent music.
The guests we're received first at the
auditorium and accommodations were
provided there for 1000 couples VINO
cared to dance. In the pavilion the
main ball was held and refreshments
were served from a buffet.
The visitors began arriving at Venice
early in the afternoon and there was
q steady stream of them until long after
the dancing began. They came in auto
mobiles and on the electric cars and al
most any way, so long as they got
there.
Shriners Wear Fezzes
Every Shriner was in full dress, with
fez. and the little red caps formed
sea of color. The visiting women, many
of whom are very beautiful were out in
their most stunning gowns, brought
across the country many hundred miles
Just for this occasion.
The wives and sweethearts of the
local Shriners. the noSles of Al Malai-
kah. were also there in their most
charming costumes, and such an array
of brilliance has never before been seen
here.
On the deck of the ship Cabrillo the
Hawaiian Glee club and orchestra fur-
nished music, and several other mu-
sical organizations were on hand.
Guests Number 10000
Special checking facilities were ar
ranged and 1900 guests were received
in the cloak rooms. At hotels and other
places in Venice many more were well
coined, and the railway, even with the
extra service, was taxed to carry the
crowds. The railway service was ex-
cellent, and it was a subject of marvel
from all that so many could be cared
for with so little difficulty.
The committee in charge carried out
every detail without a hitch, and COM
pliments of their management were law
ishly bestowed upon them by the visit
ors.
During the evening the guests wan
dered out at will to see some of the
sights of Venice
The water carnival on the lagoon at
tracted many who gathered to watch
the display of fireworks set off from
there.
The committee in charge was COM
posed of:
w. P. Jeffries. chairman: Leo v.
Youngworth, John H. Nightingale,
Joshua NJ Marks, Frank L. Miller. w.
L. Valentine, E. w. Gillette. Phil
Kitchin, Henry L. Jones, r. w. Bailey,
DR.. E. James, c. J. Lehman, Earl w.
Mueller, H. l.. Cornish Sam G. Levy
M c. Adler John F. Kitchin ]. M.
Danziger. Horace o. Smith, A. ]. Dan
iels, A. L. Daniels, Louis M. Cole, Jay
Jacobs DIR. j. L. Carson, C. G.. Berg, A.
Brownstein, William Downs, Burkett
Logan, w. R. Arnold, george w.
Bacon, E. H. Baby. E. H. Barrow, DR..
C. NJ Benbrook. San Behrendt, F. H.
Brooks r. w. Burgwald, E. w. Carson,
DR.. F. S. Dillingham;, Charles w. En-
mis-, c. v. EccIestone. Don G. Fisher,
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