Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-10
Church and School at Escondldo
ESCONDiDO PUTS
ON GALA DRESS
CROWDS THR0NG TO ANNUAL
GRAPE FESTIVAL
TRIBUTE TO WEALTH OF SOIL
PAID BY HARVEsTERs
Nearly Five Thousand Persons Visit
San Diego County Town to Join
In the Big Fete Over
Vineyards

ESCONDIDO, Sept. 9--The second
annual grape festival was celebrated
here today by nearly 5000 persons from
cities, towns and farming districts of
Southern California. The greatest
crowd came from San Diego, three ex-
cursion trains being run from that
point, carrying about 1900 passengers.
Los Angeles furnished probably 1000
and the Escondido valley turned out
full force.
The celebration was the greatest
event of it's kind ever held in this part
of the state and the grapes and other
products of the rich country about re-
ceived the highest praise possible, the
general opinion being that the grapes
grown here were second to none and
in many ways superior to those
raised in other districts.
County Fair In Progress
Grape day, while the principal cele-
bration, was not alone the crowd gath
erer, for the San Diego County fair is
now being held at the outskirts of the
city. Starting on Tuesday the fair will
continue until Saturday. The fair in
cludes the usual run of fair exhibits,
such as horse races and prize stock
display, and is being we'll attended by
the crowds.
Grape day was more important this
year than last by reason that 1t markes
new era in the progress of Escondido.
The electric railroad from San Diego Is
now assured, though the sale at San
Diego last night of the franchise to
G. w. Purcell, the engineer back of the
enterprise. The lEscondido people are
jubilant over the outcome and the sale
of the franchise was one of the topics
of address during the speech making
today.
Big Arbor Prepared
The grape arbor pavilion where the
exhibit of grapes was placed and where
the speeches were delivered occupied
five lots, 125x140 feet, on Grand avenue
One whole double tier of grapes was
placed at the free disposal of visitors
and f1ve-deck wagon stationed in the
street distributed two tons of grapes
Grapes were everywhere, and the heart
of the rich valley and the cordial greet
ing of its settlers went forth with ev-
cry bunch distributed.
Besides the grape display, the pa
vilion held other exhibits, so when the
argumentative element asked what else
was raised they could be shown the
proof. The people wish to "be from
Missouri and from the looks of
things today they certainly showed and
convinced the skeptics. The exhibit
therefore included the best of oranges,
lemons, grapefruit, apples, potatoes,
sweet potatoes, pumpkins, squash
corn, wheat, barley, broom corn, figs
and all other products grown in South
ern California.
Tons of Fruit Given Away
Eight tons of rare table grapes, mus
cat and wine grapes were given away.
m. 80 - 1.4k 1re,
upon leaving, these grapes being put
up in dainty two-pound boxes.
Across the street from the big grape
arbor was the lunch pavilion, run un-
der the auspices of the woman mem
bers of the Congregational church
Luncheon was served at the various
church edifices throughout the city. and
in this manner visitors were amply
provided with food.
A feature of the day was the ride
around the valley. Every available ve-
hicle was pressed into service and Wis
itors were driven through the country
contiguous to town, affording them an
opportunity to see the valley and en-
joy the pure mountain air
Big Vineyards Visited
One of the points of interest was a
115-acre vineyard. Last year this vine
yard shipped 21,300 forty-pound boxes.
There are about 1900 acres in the valley
planted to grapes, and in good year
the yield is enormous.
The first of the excursion trains ar
rived at 1920 o'clock in the morning
coming from San Dnego, and from then
until evening the celebration was in
order.
The musical and literary program
was given in the grape arbor pavilion
at 1 80 o'clock in the afternoon. w. H.
Baldridge. president of the city coun-
ell, was chairman and introduced Rev
Ralph B. Larkin of the Congregational
church, who delivered the address of
welcome. The address was responded
to by G. w. Davidson, president of the
San Diego chamber of commerce, Capt
John L. Sehon, acting mayor of San
Diego; w. l.. Frevert, president of the
Merchants association at San Diego,
Charles Pritchard, president of Native
Sons parlor No. 108 of San Diego and
others.
The San Diego band and the South
ern Plantation orchestra of Los Ange-
les furnished the music.
A competitive drill by squads from
san Diego lodges followed the conclu-