The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-11
ITALIAN RED CROSS
FESTIVAL PROVEDA
SPLENDID SUCCESS
Judge Grubb Speaks on Du-
ties of Immigrants to the
Fatherland and to Their
Adopted Country

More than 5000 persons attended the
italian Red Cross festival at the State
Fair grounds yesterday. The gathering
represented all parts of Alabama, while
delegations came from Atlanta, New
Orleans, Memphis. Nashville and other
southern cities.
The day was a great success from
every angle, the total amount taken in
after the expenses were paid, approx
mating $1,000, and this will be sent to
Rome to be used by the Red Cross So
ciety in caring for the Italian war widows
and orphans. The success of the event
yesterday was largely due to the thor
ough manner in which preparations were
made by the committee in charge.
The principal address of the day was
delivered by Federal Judge W. I. Grubb
who spoke for more than 30 minutes on
Italian unity, loyalty to the fatherland
and Italian-American citizenship. This is
a noble work for which you have gath
cred here today and worthy of the high
est commentator" said Judge Grubb
IT am glad to see you SO loyal to your
fatherland for being loyal to Italia means
as willing serve this, your new country.
Judge Grubb's speech was received with
cheering and applause. He spoke for 80
minutes, touching upon the loyalty of
the Italians to their country, the nobility
or the Red Cross work in the present
war and the worthiness of the cause
DIXIE" APPLAUDED
ha
speech the 5o-piece Italian Musical choral
played Dixie and that martial air was
never received with greater applause and
cheering from southern men than that
which came from the Italians This Sc
lection was followed by THE Star-Span-
gled Banner" America" and the Italian
national song.
Following the address by Judge Grub
and the band selections, G. A. Firpo de-
livered an address in Italian. Intermis-
sion was then given for dinner and bar
becued meats were served. At o'clock
the three bands gave a concert which was
followed by an athletic programme, in
Guiding bicycle races, handicap races,
sack race and ball game. The musical
programme was the real feature of the
entertainment and the crowds were APP
preciative.
One of the unique features of the day.
events was the presentation of the Red
Cross tableau, and costume dances rep
resenting different ages of Italian devel-
opment. The dances were executed prin-
cipally by the New Orleans delegation
and they included modern Spanish and
Italian dances. Other dancing lasted I'M
til II o'clock last night.
The rain interfered with the presenta-
ton of several tableaux that had been
ar,.ov, rxNI D,,I = t.. H. 49,
be presented at the celebration of Co.
lumbus day, October u.
The delegation from Alabama City,
numbering $50 men, brought with them
an embroidered Italian emblem with the
Kings picture worked in. 1t was If
the finest imported silk and is said to
hav been made in Naples at a cost If
more than $500.
A feature was the Red Cross hospital
in charge of DR.. Cocciola, which rendered
efficient service and gave a practical
illustration of first aid work.
LIST OF PRIZES
Miss Nettie Rietta won the first prize.
a handsome diamond ring, in the ladies'
contest, with Miss Annie Regusa Of
Ensley a close second. The contest was
Rietta was declared Queen of the Fes-
tiva1
Miss Catherine Perobo was the winner
in the ticket selling contest, receiving a
beautiful diamond ring. Miss Louise De
Reana second, Miss Josephine Rietta
third, Miss Marie Brocato fourth and
Miss Jennie LaBue fifth.
The one-mile open bicycle race was
won by Otis Foster. Frank Rietta sec
ond Henry Harola third.
The five-mile handicap bicycle race was
won by Bob Horton. Nick Rando second
and Sam Cefalu third.
Other races were declared off on &C.
count of the rain.
Pratt City was in the lead in the base
ball game when the rain interefered, hiv-
ing scored four runs to their opponents,
Bessemer's, one. The game was we'll
played.