Bridgeton pioneer., 1917-07-05
PAGEANT
ON The LAKE
Wonderful Specta Over
the Water.
WAS BRILLIANT,
Historic Tableaux Added Features
For the Patriotic Celebration
of the Fourth.

The remarkable pageant presented
iast night upon Sunset Lake, Tum-
bling Dam Park, was the crowning
triumph of the wonderfully success
ful celebration of Fourth of Julv
climax fitting and entirely novel
What an inspiration was provided
the beholder after o'clock when the
mantle Of darkness had shut in the
world How many thousands of peo-
pie there were banked upon the lake
side is difficult to estimate. There
was sea of faces, a solid mass of
humanity. Everyone was happy in
good humor and thoroughly enthusi-
astic
Out upon the great lake was a pic
ture that can scarce be depicted. A
mass of hundreds of canoes were
about the floating band stand and
speakers stand. Each light craft
carried a pretty lighted Japanese Ian
tern and small flag. The big float
upon which the band sat was lighted
electrically, as was the speakers
stand out over the water.
During the early evening there
was a splendid concert by the City
Concert Band which was greatly en-
joyed, and interspersing were several
songs by the Dixie Trio.
But the big feature of this remark
able demonstration was the series of
historic tableaus shown from a large
platform over on the north shore of
the cove. The platform had been ar
ranged artistically with a pergola ef-
feet and heavy cedar tree background.
The powerful flood lights with foot
and border lamps, brought out the
historic living pictures effectively.
The tableau were presented under
the personal direction of Clayton Nc
Pherson and the thousands of people
who watched them were delighted
and each picture was followed with
great applause.
The living pictures were really ex-
cellent. The STORY they portrayed
were absolutely perfect in every de-
tail.
First was shown Columbus Dis
covering America, the characters be-
ing taken by K. of P. and Niagara
Tribe Red Men, the Band playing
America
The second tableau for makeup and
costume, was one of the best, en-
titled, "The Spirit of 1776'' with the
band playing Yankee Doodle. This
picture was greatly applauded. The
characters were taken by members
of the Camp P. o. S of A.
Two companion pictures were pre-
sented in Leaving Home in 1851"
and Returning Home in 1867. The
characters were taken by Mr.. and
Mrs. Earl McKelvey and Lester SUIT
ton with the little daughters of Mr..
Mcpherson. So effective were these
pictures that many were moved to
tears. The band played for the first
"The Girl 1 Left Behind Me" and for
the latter, "When Johnny Comes
Marching Home"
Perhaps one of the most impressive
and striking pictures was 'The Boys
of 1917" Here were shown troops of
khaki Boy Scouts innpersonating the
present day soldiers marching off to
France. Company after company
marched on and off the big stage
with military precision, and there
were tears in the eyes of the stoutest
hearted folks as the band was playing
"Rally Round the Flag. Troop 1
Boy Scouts made up this picture.
The closing number was an allie
gory THE Hope of the Nations. 1t
was an elaborate picture. High upon
a pedestal was the figure of Liberty"
impersonated by Miss Aida Riley.
Aloft in her extended left hand was
the flaming torch. This was first
lighted. Then came On the flood
lamp revealing the figures of young
women, each representing a nation
appealing to Liberty for Universal
Peace. 1t was stirring picture and
when given additional electrical ef-
fects made wonderful tableau that
was vastly apDreciated IT was a