Evening star., 1915-09-17
AND.TEST|M0N|AL
SUCCESS ASSURED
Tribute to Musicians May De-
veIop Into Great Annual
Fall Festival.
COMMITTEE TO FRAME
ITS PROGRAM TUESDAY
Many Novel Events Contemplated
for Fete in Potomac Park
in October.

washington's testimonial to the gov
ernment bands that have provided con-
certs in the public parks this summer
may develop into a great annual fall
festival
Members of the committee appointed
by the Commissioners yesterday to ar
range for the testimonial, which is to
be held late in October. are of the opin-
ion that it will grow into an annual
event, not necessarily as tribute to
the bands, but for the purpose of pro-
viding enterta inment for residents of
the city and surrounding country at
time of the year when weather condi-
tions in the capital are SO nearly ideal.
This idea not only has been suggested
In the committee, but has been broach-
ed to the Commissioners through other
sources. and there is every indication
that efforts will be made to put it into
execution by another year.
Best Season for Farmers.
1t is pointed out that Washington's an
nual municipal entertainments end gen
orally with Labor day, following which
the capital enters upon stretch of the
best weather of the year-weather Just
suited to out-of door gatherings At this
time, also. residents of the rural districts
have finished with harvesting and are
ready for "trip to town"
1T ts the most propitious period Of the
year for festival said district Sur
veyor Hazen Of the committee today,
land / believe a big municipal entertain
ment, lasting several days, would be i'm
mensely popular with Washingtonians
and their country neighbors.''
~
pressed the view that there should be a
festival week for promoting a "get-to-
gether' spirit between residents Of the
capital and the counties bordering on the
District.
To Draw Up Program Tuesday.
Whatever may be developed along this
line, it is assured that the testimonial
to the bands is going to be one of the
most enjoyable municipal entertain
ments Washingtonians have ever had
an opportunity to witness. The COM
mfttee in charge will not formulate a
program until Tuesday morning, when
1T is to meet in the boardroom of the
District building. But already enough
suggestions have been made to assure
an entertainment unlike any ever
taged in the capital
In this connection the committee is
desirous of receiving suggestions from
citizens as to how the band members
should be feted. Any persons having
suggestions to offer should send them
to the secretary of the board of Com
missioners In order that they may be
turned over to the committee at its
meeting Tuesday.
Some of the entertainment features
thus far proposed are a mule chariot
race, in which drivers will appear In
Roman costume; pony race for ju-
venile jockeys, cavalry drill, polo
game, mule race and other straight
away races over a quarter-mile course.
Mounted Shoe Race Planned.
What may prove to be the hit of the
program will be a mounted shoe race
In this contest the riders line up after
their shoes have been placed In a heap
in the center of the field hundred
yards distant There is a wild race to
the shoe pile, where the riders dis
mount and search for their footwear
Each rider Is supposed to throw away
every shoe he picks up that is not his
own. This process continues until one
of the contestants succeeds in finding
his own shoes and dons them, after
which he races back to the starting
point.
1t is possible the program may in
clude a mounted wrestling match. This
proved to be the most popular feature
of the tournament given at Brightwood
reservoir in connection with the last
municipal Independence day celebra-
ton.
The polo field in Potomac Park has
been proposed as the site for the en-
tertainment and in all probability will
be selected on account of the facilities
II offers for the parking of vehicles.
The field is 1000 feet long, and 1t will
be possible to have racing over a quar-