The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-08-08
PAGEANT GROUNDS
NEARLyREADYFOR
BIG PLAY
Arrangements Made to Seat
About $500 People
REMAINDER OF LARGE CAST
Completion Of Enormous Stage and
Preparations for Seating Big
Crowds Rapidly Progressing

Amounting Ill wealth. OF natural
beauty and situated on the North
Bennington road at such distance
as to make il less than a twenty-five
minute walk from Putnam House
square" and only a five minute troll.
ley trip from the center Of the town
is Clark's woods, the spot selected
for the re-enactment in pageantry of
some OF the picturesque and stirring
scenes and events of Benningtons
rich and interesting history To
reach the Pageant grounds by trolley
is to pass through some of the most
delightful of typical Vermont country
Soon after leaving the Putnam
House the car passes out into the
open country, changing the scene
from that OF a hustling and busy vii
lage street to one in which the beau
ty of the open country is seen at its
best. A little later the North Ben
nington road Is reached, and from
here the remainder of the journey 10
the grounds must be made on foot.
After crossing the bridge over the
Walloomsac river a sign board an.
nouncing that it was here that Cap.
tain Robinson and his small company
OF troops camped, is passed. A short
walk along the heavily wooded road
brings one TO the entrance TO the
grounds.
II is only step from the road to
the grounds, in fact the admission
tickets will be taken almost on the
roadside On both sides as one en-
ters are gently sloping green's. The
one on the right will be used for the
spectators. On this slope tiers OF
long wooden benches have been erect
ed, representing seating capacity of
some POO persons. At the rear OF
the seats are the spaces reserved for
automobiles. which. ii is thought will
bring the seating accommodations
close up to the $500 mark. The box.
es will be placed at each end OF the
rows OF seats and one of these will
be occupied by Governor Mead and
his party Saturday afternoon.
Directly in front of the spectators
is another gradually rising piece OF
ground, forming a natural and idea
stage. No artificial background will
be required for this stage, as that has
been provided In the heavy network
of trees and bushes. This back
ground will not be monotonous
stretch OF green. but will be very ef
fectiye with here and there a bit oil
color added to the scene by cluster.
OF white birch trees and darker tones
of green caused by the varying inten
sity OF the lights and shadows.
At the right, both hills slant gently
into long level, but narrow stretcl
of ground, heavily wooded on eacl
side On both sides of this passage
way are large trees Looking through
this natural passageway the seen,
that is presented to the eye is indeed
beautiful. The graceful limbs Of tn,
trees on each side nearly meet, form
ing an arch Away at the other en-,
is row Of trees above which can b,
seen the green mountains. Thi
scene is rich in colors and will len,
a pleasing touch to the scene
The whole Is surrounded on tire,
sides by massive trees and forms
natural amphitheatre the beauty o
, which IL would be difficult to eQua
IL required no small amount of decis
, iveness to fix upon the place for tn
Pageant as many other sites were IN
, der consideration. That the choic
, was wisely made will be proved whe
the first performance Is given Satul
day afternoon.
A large number Of electric light
/ in various positions and six large ca
cium lamps will be used at the nigh
I performances to furnish illumination
. The electric lights are not strun
across the stage but are fastened |
y clusters about It. II is certain tina
I lighting facilities will be ample an
4 will make the evening performance
! as easily seen and appreciated q
I those. given In the afternoon.