The Columbus weekly dispatch., 1909-01-07
SPRING FESTIVAL
AT THE COLLEGE
PRESIDENT WHITFIELD. or THE
INDUSTRIAL ISSTfTlTk AND
COLLEGE. HAS PLANS or
INTEREST ON FOOT
In Addition TO Dramatic aud Musical
Entertainments. There VIII Be
Athletic Events OF Grcat
Deal OF Importance.

Nothing has been more potent in
bringing Columbus before the public
and establishing her reputation as a
musical center and a city OF culture
where literature. music and art are
appreciated TO the fullest extent. than
the spring festivals which have been
given during recent years al the In
dustrial Institute and College. and if
plans which President Whitfield noE
has on foot are perfected and brought
10 realization the festival this sprinE
viii far surpass anything that has
been undertaken on former occasious-
The plans which President Whit
only in great advantage 10 the college
but will prove very beneficial to Co
lumbus. as the event viii D. eXtRr-
sively advertised and people from
all parts of Mississippi and Ueighhor-
ing States viii be present lt ls Mr.
Whitfeld's intention To have not oulg-
the best musical. literary and dra-
matte talent that can BE- secured Co
participate in the festival but CO.
have the greatest track meet ever
witnessed in Mississippi. and the one
thing necessary TO insure the success
OF the undertaking is 90 secure the
hearty cooperation OF the people OF
Columbus. the support and assist
ance of the merchants and business
men being especially desirable
While plans for the festival are
still in an embryonic state. Go Is Mr.
Whitfield's hope and ambition 20
have the festival stand out as one
of the greatest events Of its kind ever
witnessed in the South. and Eith that
end in view he intends 70 expend sew
eral thousand dollars in securing at
fractions There viii b. one OF the
worlds greatest bands. some renown-
ed singer. ranking with Nordica and
Gadski. both OF whom have appeared
at the college on former occasions. a.
great dramatic attraction. possibly
the Ben Greet players. who are nov
making a speciality OF giving per
formances before college students.
and perhaps some great reader or
impersonator like Frederick Warde-
or Edward p. Elliott An effort wilT
also be made to have the State Inter
collegiate Oratorical Contest take
place here during the progress OF the
festival, and this viii in itself be an
event OF great magnitude bringing
to Columbus hundreds OF students
from the different coueses represent
ed in the contest
As stated above. the athletic events
will be made a special feature Of the
festival, and President Whitfield iu-
tends to invite the East MlssissippI
Schoolmasters' Association 90 hold it's
annual meet here while the festival
Is in progress The Industrial IustI-
ute and College has the largest and
best appointed athletic field in Mis-
sissippi. and the track meet win BE-
On more elaborate scale than the
one which was held az TupeIo last
rear. Not only the public schools or
East Mississippi. but those Of every
portion OF the State. wfu De asked
o send representatives and an ex-
brilliant athletic program
will be given.
President Whitfield wants our peo-
lie TO feel that the festival Is being
.iven as much in their interest as
n the interest of the college and Is
anxious for them 10 Co
perate with him in an effort 20 make
he event a success He is anxious
o have the business men and their
Tives take charge Of some special
and suggests that an elabo-
ate floral parade be arranged IL Is
is idea TO have the parade consist
ot only OF attractfveIy decorated
arriages and traps, but 20 have Ia
floats advertising the lead
lg business establishments OF the
Ity. He will soon name a commit
se OF prominent business men. and
SIX this committee TO confer with
i'm and arrange for putting his ideas
ito practical execution
The spring festival win be n big
vent for Columbus. and every cit
en- shoald cooperate with President
Thitheld in an effort 70 make e.
success.