The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1915-01-16
TAMPA's GREAT SPECTACLE
guished Men Being Urged To
Attend Carnival

Tampa, Fla, Jan. Bringing to
mind the romantic days Of more than
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 Gasparilia Carnival, named for
one OF the most daring and cruel of
the pirate clan, and which rivals the
New Orleans Mardi Gras in magnifi-
cence, with many amusement features
peculiar to the mi-tropics added. The
dates of the Carnival are February IL
! to Is, 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 viii be entered;
| 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 fights, maneuyers of warships
in the harbor, yacht races, day and
night fireworks displays along the ce-
ment-payed 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 exhi-
4 - la
! 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 a
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
years.
During the five-day period Of cele
bration the following special days will
. be observed:
Friday, February II, is designated
as CLEAR Havana Cigar Day" on &C
. count of the fact that Tampa is the
greatest center Of the world for the
. manufacture of clear Havana cigars
, The firing of salutes from the forts
} near Tampa and from the warships
; in the harbor will announce the be
ginning Of the festival, and the day
will be given over to a varied pro
} gram.
Saturday is known as Panama Ca
nal Day." being so designated because
Tampa is the nearest Mainland port
! as shown in resolutions adopted BIZ
: Congress, to the Panama Capal The
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