Evening star., 1909-05-30
Our R1DER51N AL ORAL
IARADE

purpose permanently. The most crafty
ing success has attended the effort. The
railroads now offer excursion rates for
this annual rose event, and the result is
that thousands of visitors are attracted,
many of whom, 1t is claimed. having de-
cided to make their permanent homes in
the city thus brought to their notice un-
der such favorable circumstances.
While flower festivals are not con-
fined to any section of the country, it
must be admitted that this form of
entertainment has had its most ex-
tensive adoption and has reached its
highest development in southern Cali
forna-the land of flowers. Flower
fetes are held on non-confiicting dates
in various towns and cities in south
ern California. but in the main essen
tials the celebrations are much alike.
There is usually program of sports.
including such stirring novelties as
four-horse chariot races for purses Of
$1,000 or more but the principal fea-
ture of each tournament is the great
floral pageant in which schools. clubs
and individuals participate with bios
SOM laden vehicles of every descrip-
tion, from pony carts. wholly hidden
by posies. to flower decked automobiles
and blossom-inc rusted hands
The tournaments of roses, as many
of these spectacles are called, had their
inception In 1889, the annual fete at
Pasadena. Cal. mow one of the most
important of the carnivals), growing
out or the dnnuai entertainments or al
hunt club The original idea was to
produce a combination of fete, fiesta
and tournament to celebrate In a poetic
and beautiful manner the ripening of
the orange, which takes place. In this
land of sunshine. early in the new
year and is naturally an event of great
moment in the region.
AS time went on the primary idea Of
lavish display of fruits and flowers was
elaborated by the addition of various fea
lures, including the battle of roses. the
idea of which was gained from the event
Of that name held in Rome. Italy, each
year. In later years chariot and auto
mobile races on circular tracks have also
had considerable vogue, but the floral pa
rade with its substantial prizes for the
most novel and most beautifully adorned
equipages in each class remains the chief
feature of every festival In some in
stances these prizes are purses, whereas
in others cups or trophies are awarded.
The fact that in every successful flower
festival there are ladies classes in which
prizes are bestowed upon women who
show superiority in the Ornamentatlon
and handling of their own turnouts makes
IL necessary for contest committees TO
show some ingenuity in devising prizes
that will appeal to feminine taste.
In the southern California cities. as in
practically all committees where floral
festivals are held. these annual spectacles
are under the active management either
of committees appointed by local boards
of trade or chambers of commerce. or else
of regularly organized carnival associa-
tions of citizens who band themselves to-
gether for this express purpose and main
tain the organization from year to year
simply to conduct these annual free
shows. In southern California likewise "a
tourist mecca) the membership of the
average floral festival organization is di-
vided much as it might be expected to
be In Washington, among wealthy men of
leisure who go into the work for the sport
OF the thing. ard far-sighted local busi-
ness men who lend their aid because they
realize that these events bring trade to
a city.