El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-03-24

have become increasingly poDular.
and each season finds new cities
added to the list of those already noted
for their efforts in this direction. It
is not strange that southern California
with its glorious sunshine and ever
biossoming plants should lead in these
festivals Pasadena, tucked snugly
away In the foothills, has become ia
nous for its festivals on New Years
day, at which time it is a mecca for
fuGitives from Jack Frost IN the east
and north
The Pasadena festival is divided into
three parts, the parade in the early
afternoon, the races directly following
and grand ball in the evening. The
parade is often over a mile long, each
carriage, automobile and float being
actually buried under its load of flow
ers, OF every kind and hue
Sixty thousand violets and 5000 car
nations have been used in decorating
single float in one of these parades.
Hardly less of an attraction is the
chariot race, which is a careful repro
duetion of those held in Rome and
Athens.
Los Angeles Festival.
Inc Los angeles festival is held in
the spring and usually lasts about
week. The name, La Fiesta de las
FLORES, is lived up to in every respect
A parade of which Los Angeles will
ever be proud was that in which presf-
dent and Mrs. Mckinley occupied the
place of honor Their carriage was
decorated with 10000 white carnations,
and the horses and harness were spot
less white
The choosing Of the queen of the car
nival is an important social event. A
feature of the Los Angeles floral "a
rade, which will be sure to linger in
the memory of the visitor, is the Chi
nese dragon, always proudly displayed
by numerous sons of Chinatown. This
Is & work of art, being hand ernbroid-
cred and measuring 500 feet
Santa Clara Blossoms
The festivals in the Santa Clara val
ley deserve place by themselves. Here
the white blossoms of the plum tree
and the delicate pink of the peach
blooms form perfect sea OF beauty
Tor about two weeks in the spring. The
FESTIVAL commences in the little foothiIl
village of Saratoga. where the first
wave of bloom begins, and as the wave
sweeps on down the valley, each little
village takes its turn at celebrating
blossom day.
The principal feature is drive
through the blossom covered streets,
Where young girls lombard each pass
ing vehicle with flowers. Decorated |
carriages OF all kinds are pressed into
service and visitors are treated TO a !
UNIQUE and most beautiful spectacle.
AS 1t depends upon the season, Ito date !
OF the event fluctuates, the earliest il |
mas been celebrated being March IS. /
and the latest April T. (
Mexico Customs.
AS sharp contrast to these DAYS of /
pleasure in California is the custom car |
RED out in Mexico on All Saints day.
All The cemeteries are filled with peo-
PIE, VINO camp out, covering the graves
or their departed with floral tokens.
ana afterwards eating picnic Iuncheons
On the dead tables spread for the
occasion
The day is not intended to be one of
pleasure but it nevertheless assumes
nat aspect Tor those who see it for
he first time.
Promptly at noon on the 18th of last !
Tune, president Taft pressed the button
which officially opened the third annual
'ose festival at Portland, Ore, and the !
den OF the rose king began The
estlvai lasted six days. and was turned
nto time of general merrymaking.
Automobile, horse and spirit of the
VeSe parades Wed with one another
n their spIendor- In all the parades
ne vehicles and floats were beautt-
ully decorated with blooms. while
>ortland further showed it's ability to
alse beautiful roses in competitive
xniDition, which was held in the Cali
ornda building at the fair grounds A
ew days previous TO the opening of the
a bouquet, made I'D Of the
hottest roses to be found in the rose
lty, was sent to Washington to be
resented TO the president by senators ,
'ourne and Chamberlain shortly before ,
e pressed the button
Wild Flower Excursions ,
On account of its myriad of wild
lowers Colorado has continual festi ,
al that is provided by nature. In Ute :
ass, and in many other regions great
leadows are covered with brilliant. 9
Iamitlve blossoms. During the summer i
lie railroads run weekly wild flower :
scursdcns" for the benefit Of the tour- ,
is Open observation cars are used 9
no frequent stops are made in order r
lat the passengers may gather flowers n
10 take pictures I
AS far distant as is Asbury Park from