Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1913-09-19
PROLONCATION OF SEASON SUCCESSFUL

AS the season wanes and the mad
rush of summer business diminishes,
the citizens of Wildwood can now
look back over the season just past and
take a general view of what has been
accomplished as the result of the work
of energetic business inen and others.
And that review can be taken with
perfect equanimity, as the season has
been one of unparalleled prosperity in
the history of the resort. From the
forepart of the season to the end there
has been a steady influx of visitors
owe both roads, the addition of the
Reading road having made the open
Ing of new territory possible. In the
matter of business the Pennsylvania
road reports an increase of 20 per cent.
over last year and that in addition to
the new road indicates that the growth
of the resort will be extensive and
steady. The immense number of visi-
tors (which have been published in this
paper all season) carried by both roads
and the business done, together with
the large real estate and land sales held
here this summer, will no doubt bring
about one of the largest building booms
ever recorded in the history of the al
lied resorts and this will bring about
a large increase in valuations all over
the island. The Board of Trade and
other individuals have been active
providing entertainment for the inn
mense throngs of visitors and the time
and money spent Is a sure investment.
Making the resort attractive is the
only method Of keeping them inter-
ested. Wildwood has more visitors
that come year after year than anyother
resort and to these same people must
attention be paid ,as they are the life of
a seaside resort. Large crowds were
here all season, but Labor day was the
banner dayyit being estipsated thet
there were 10000 people here enjoying
the delights of the island. The board
walk was packed with people from
the Atlantic Pier to the Ottens Hotel,
something never before noticed. Over
II 900 people were carried out of town
on the evening trains alone. From
either end of the island, Tor 5 lines of
boats were kept busy by the large
crowds going and coming from inter-
mediate resorts. Another indication
of an extraordinarily good season is the
great increase in deposits In the local
banks. The Marine National Bank is
5000, 900 ahead of last year. Wildwood
has a great future ahead as a resort and
the past and future prospects have been
such as to even stagger the most opti-
mistic.
AS q fitting climax to a most prosper
Gus season the annual event, the Feast
of Lanterns and Carnival, was again
enacted on the board walk last Satur-
day night. The carnival, which in
other years was an attraction on Labor
Day, was postponed this year because
of the abundance of attractions billed
for that day and also Ia an effort to
prolong the season; in this the Board
of Trade was successful, as many people
stayed over the extra time &c partici-
pate in this great event.
The Carnival this year far exceeded
the carnivals of other years In splendor
and number of those in line. Men,
ONE and children were Enthusiastically
CARRIED and the spectators entered into
the spirit Of the occasion, making the
night one long to be remembered for
the showing of good nature and jollifi-
cation.
Lanterns by the thousand, bunting
and evergreens and an arch at Pine
avenue, ON the board walk were used In
the decorative scheme and these COM
bined with the pretty costumes Of some
and grotesque makeup of others made
a scene Of unexcelled beauty and fun.
There were many prizes donated by
the merchants along the board walk
and other contributors.
In addition to the Carnival the
Board OF Trade arranged for a display
OF fireworks OF the beach front under
the direction of Prof. Cimerosa, the
noted fireworks expert. The display
was unparalleled in point of splendor
to any exhibition that has ever been
given on the beach, a was evidenced
by the great applause given as the last
bomb was fired.
Led by Frank l.. King, chairman Of
the committee, Cianfoni's band and
the Misses Turner and Maxwell carry
ing the national colors, the parade left
the Atlantic Pier promptly at Z O'Clock
as advertised and to this fact may be
attributed the failure of a number OF
masquers to get In line; however, these