The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1915-02-05
TAMPA'S GREAT SPECTACLE
President Wilson And Other Distin-
guished Men Being Urged To
Attend Carnival

Tampa, Fla, Jan. bringing to
mind the romantic days of more than a
century ago when bloodthirsty pirates,
headed by such daring sea rovers as
Captain Kidd, LaFitte and Gasparilla,
infested the Gulf Coast of Florida and
the Spanish Main, the cosmopolitan
people of Tampa are making elaborate
preparations for holding the tenth an
nual Gasparilla Carnival, named for
one of the most daring and cruel OF
the pirate clan, and which rivals the
New Orleans Mardi Gras in magnlh-
cence, with many amusement features
peculiar to the semi-trOplcs added. The
dates of the Carnival are February II
to 16, inclusive, and an attendance OF
100000 people from all sections of the
Union is expected. The lowest rail
road rates ever offered will be in force
from all points east of the Mississippi |
river.
Monster pageants, in which floats |
of amazing beauty will be enteEed; |
flower parades and street dancing in |
which thousands of children and |
grown-ups including Tampa's Ameri-
can. Spanish, Cuban, Italian and Ger
man citizens, will participate, aero
plane flights, maneuvers of warships
in the harbor, yacht races, day and
night fireworks displays along the &C.
ment-paved boulevard that traverses
the most beautiful bay in America,
balls in the various foreign clubs, mu-
| sic by the best bands of this country
and Cuba and a Garden of Eden eXhl-
bition of Florida fruits, flowers and
vegetables on the court house square
in Tampa, are among the many amuse-
ment features to be offered the visit
ors. Everything will be absolutely
free and preparations have already
been made to properly care for thou
sands in the big hotels, boarding
houses and private homes of the city.
During the month of February win
ter winds blow in every other state
and section, but then South Florida,
arrayed in a garb of green, appears
to best advantage. The golden fruit
is being shipped TO the Northern mar
kets, early vegetables are going out
daily by the train load, hordes of tour
lists are enjoying life in all the small
cities and towns, and particularly
along the Gulf Coast, and joy reigns
supreme among all classes. To enter
tain these visitors Tampans have for
years held this annual carnival, which
has grown bigger and better each sea-
son.
Since the Spanish-Amercian War,
Tampa has doubtless entertained.
larger number of famous American
statesmen and foreign ambassadors
than any Southern city, and many will
attend the coming Carnival. President
Woodrow Wilson is being urged to at
tend the Carnival, and to make South
Florida his winter home in future
ears.
ing the five-day period of cele-
- VI The following special days will
J reserved:
nday, February II, is designated
ID VpClear Ha ANA Cigar Day." on &C.
De htnlt of the tSct that Tampa is the
g f,n,atest center IF the world for the
dlnufacture of ciear Havana cigars.
ale firing of salutes from the forts
We ear Tampa and from the warships
I'm the harbor will announce the be-
beginning of the festival, and the day
will be given over to a varied pro
IT gram.
-, Saturday is known as "Pantna Ca
. nal Day." being so designated because
. Tampa is the nearest Mainland port,
as shown in resolutions adopted by
Congress, to the Panama Canal. The
Panama Canal Parade, which occurs
on this day, will be one of the most
brilliant and unique features OF the
celebration. The night hours will be
turned over to a masked carnival on
Franklin, the principal street of the
city, in which thousands of brilliantly
and Enthusiastically CARRIED people will
dance on the thoroughfare. Many bands
will furnish the dance music.
Sunday will be known as Peace
Day" and impressive open-air sery
ices, as we'll as those in the many
churches, will be devoted to peace
programs.
Monday will be "Gasparilla Day
the most spectacular of the period
7