The San Francisco call., 1909-10-21
King and Queen of Great Car
nival to Lead Grand March
at Gay Revel

The official Portola masquerade ball
occurs tonight at the Auditorium, Page
and Fillmore streets, and indications
are that 1T Will prove one of the most
spectacular events of its kind ever held
on the Pacific coast, rivaling in spIen-
dor and success the famous masquerade
ball of the New Orleans Mardi Gras
Most everybody in San Francisco is
interested in the bale mascara, and
be attracted to the big Auditorium to-
night will outnumber in size any SINH
lar event ever given in this city. All
of the boxes for spectators have been
sold, and there remain but a few re-
served seats and admission tickets. BY
tomorrow night it is predicted that
there will not be a single admission
ticket unsold.
The great Auditorium will be filled
to overlooking with merry maSkers.
The variety of costumes displayed will
surpass any hitherto seen in the city
There will be Spanish dons in their
gorgeous costumes. charming seno-
ritas in gala attire. piquant grisettes
in fetching dress, burlesque circus
characters and buffoons and horribles
without number.
DANCING ALL NIGHT
A monster band of so pieces will
furnish music for the gay whirl of
the dance. Music will be rendered all
night and the doors to the big audito-
rum will not be closed until 10 o'clock
Friday morning. Refreshments of all
kinds will be served to the merry
crowd, and 100 tables have been pro-
vided for the convenience of those
present. Fifteen hundred seats have
been reserved for the dancers and
many reserved seats have been provid-
ed in the balcony for spectators.
Don Gaspar de Portola and Queen
Vergilia will lead the grand march at
10 o'clock. The distinguished fiesta
king will be attired in striking cos
tune in keeping with his station as
ruler of the fortola festival. Queen
Vergilia will wear a beautiful gown,
the acme of the modiste's art. When
the opening strains of music for the
grand march are heard the ballroom
will present a Kaleidoscope picture of
color and life 1t will be one of the
most spectacular arrays of color ever
seen in the west, merry. moving
throng of joyous, light hearted dancers.
The committee has hung out the well
come sign to the entire populace-San
Francisco is a joyous city of merri-
ment, and the spirit of hospitality of
Its citizens will pervade the evenings
pleasure The overwhelming demand
which the costumers have had for cos
tunes has caused the Portola COM
mittee to make radical change in one
of the rules governing the masquerade
ball. The committee has ordained that
it will not be necessary for the dancers
to appear in costume. A mere domino
will suffice This change in the rule
will not, however, affect the plans of
those who have already provided them
selvesc with costumes.
MANY PRIZES OFFERED
Prizes which embrace some of the
most beautiful creations of gold jew
elry and other valuable articles will
be awarded to those appearing in the
most beautiful. bizarre and original
costumes. The prizes aggregate a
value of more than $4,000.
Queen Vergilia will distribute these
prizes to the winners at IL O'clock. 1t
will not be necessary for the winners
of prizes to unmask nor give their
names in order to receive the presents.
Edgar A. Miner will be floor man
ager at the ball, and he will be as
sisted by a committee of 20 young
provide for the pleasure and comfort
of the large throng of dancers.
In taking care Of the large number
of dancers and spectators who will be
present at the ball the committee has
decided not to sell tickets IN guam
tity which will overcrowd the large pa
vilion. The tickets are nearly all sold
out now, and those appearing in cos
tunes will be given preference In the
sale of tickets at the door of the Au-
ditorium tonight. When the limit of