The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-06-25
Al FRESCO BALL IS
COMPLETE SUCCESS
Big Opcn-Air Reception AZ Byrd Park
is Attended by Thousands Of
Ex-seryice Men.

+! Father Byrd was host last night to
his soldier, sailor and marine sons at
I the biggest party ever held within the
I confines OF his ancient home. The
reception was the Al Fresco ball and
! fully 5000 ex-service men and their
sweethearts, wives and mothers were
served with most toothsosne refresh
ments and helped 10 scrape an inch
or two off the surface Of that portion
OF the Boulevard which was roped on
for dancing.
The entertainment. which was ar
ranged by the home coming commit
tee. was undoubtedly the greatest sue
cess Of any event planned for returned
service men. Not only did the men
from all branches Of the service ac-
cept the invitation. but they thor
ouEhly enjoyed every minute of the
long program.
4 marked feature of the party was
the typically democratic manner in
which 1t Was arrar red and partci-
pated in. Men from all branches OF
the service. regular army. national
guard, drafted mon and sailors, were
extended a cordial invitation and they
were ali there.
And the admirable spirit OF de-
mccracy. the natural result of the
SO recent world-upheavaL was not
cenvtred 70 the men, Not only were
Ism ranks from the army and navy
represented. hut their partners came
from ali stations in life
The cQlonels lady aud Judy
O'Grady were both there. enjoying
/ themselves equally. This see sons de-
butante served her sister from the
white goods" with ice cream and
hrlys h eH
coiHures with her in the intricacies
| OF the Jazz
| The reception committee. under
/ Mrs r Allison Hodges, assembled
early and did not cease 10 serve until
The strains OF Home, Sweet Home
! Goated out over the silver lake and
told the couples who had strayed that
far thai the inevitable hour of de-
( parture had arrived all TOO soon.
Ter tables, supervised by Mrs. z.
+ kernodlc. fairly groaned under
their loads OF ice cream. home made
!Cake. delicious fudge and iced drinks.
! Although the crowd was tremendous
the ladies had made ample prepare
ton for any contingency and no
couple was turned away hungry from
the lunch counters
TWO bands. one the famed Curtis Jor-
Gan Jazz orchestra. furnished almost
continuous music for the dancers. The
complete success OF the evening threat
erred 70 ne uarred for "a short while by
the ohstinacy ef Tine spscta TORS in re-
/ fuS{ng 20 give way and make an ade-
qnate dancing area. but Chairman II.
W, Ellerson finally succeeded. after a
tvc-n mute effort, in having them heed
Ills celebrations,
The noi.ce finally aettied The matter
efficiently by ropinc off a sufficient
~ ha1 10
for this the committee did not figure
on anything like the number of dane
ra who appeared The whole section
O Byrd park. from Chaffn street to
the Reservoir. was fairly packed with
+ zen and women. and the east side
nf the Boulevard hardly provided suf-
hClent floor space for the dancers
The bail was scheduled to begin at :
o'clock, but the majority of guests did
rot arrive until about an hour later.
From that time until 10 o'clock they
came in continuous stream and
stayed until almost e.
The Al Fresco idea was conceived by
the ladies of tho various organizations
who have co-operated in receiving and
caring for all returned soldiers and in
Guided the members of the former
Godm others League. Mrs G.. r. W
Kern is general chairman of the WON
ans home coming committee and took
a leading part in the arrangements.
Chairman Ellerson called "tention'
in the midst of dance and warned the
guests to be careful with their val,
uables and money. saying that pick
pockets were known to be in the
crowd The dips" are thought &c
have been attracted to Richmond BY
the ideal opportunity offered by the
3 big affair and are said to have made
several rich pluckings. One man re
ported the loss of 500 in currency
and several pieces Of jewelry were
frNr,1 n.