The Canon City record with which is consolidated the Canon City cannon., 1920-08-19
Pageant Redeemed
Utmost Expectations

Ideal weather conditions. combined
with an excellent ensemble. careful
preparation, attractive surroundings
and fine public patronage. made the
patriotic pageant. america, Yester-
day and Today" at the high school
grounds Friday night thing OF
beauty and financial success. 1t
was feared by some apprehensive ana
superstitious people that the rain
storm of the previous day. and the
fact that it was to be presented on
Friday, the thirteenth day of the
month. would prove its jinx, but they
seemed to contribute, rather than de-
tract, from its beauty and popularity.
1t is safe to say that more interest
ing and alluring spectacle of the kind
was never staged in Canon City. In
setting, dramatic beauty and delinea-
| tion it was superb and realized the
most sanguine anticipations Of its
friends.
| The play, America, Yesterday and
| Tday," is an allegorical drama of the
utmost interest in which are depicted
three episodes in the annals OF the
! country: THE Spirit of Indian Days,
The Spirit of the Wilderness, and the
Spirit OF the New America II is 50
arranged as to provide for the widest
possible variety Of color and hue in
the costuming of those participating
in its enactment, which adds in no
small degree to its enjoyment The
scenes are produced in an open arena
under the rays Of powerful e.ectric
searchligh., and are rendered at once
weird and fascinating by il to those
who watch them from the semi-dark-
ness of the Fairgrounds
Especially interesting incidents In
the pageant are the group of Ciyil
War veterans in full regimentals, with
the flag they love SO we'll; the prairie
schooner" with its family OF pioneers
crossing the plains to find a home in
the savage and unknown West; the
groups of children dressed to repre-
sent the flowers of the wi derne55, an .
the groups OF Indians aroynd =. ,ol!f-
Gil fires smoking the pipe OF PEE. !,
would be difficult to ina sire :-io:.e ia.
teresting scenes than these, Dir o..s
that inspire more absorbing tsnec-
tions to the beholder They p0iiit
Dack to romantic and glorious past
in the country's history, and help keep
alive in memory the great achieve
ments or by.sone and fast.vanishing
generations of our ancestors.
America, Yesterday and Today" as
a pageant will long remain a pleasant
recollection in the minds OF those who
witnessed IL Friday night, and It's pro
moters In staging 1t here are entitled
to the thanks Of the community for
the service they performed for the
community. 1t is hoped that 1t will
be the precursor Of other open-air en-
tertainments Of like chafseter.
Too much praise can NOT be be-
slowed on those who took part IN the
production of the play here Friday
night, They all performed their paris
well, ana there, the poet says, "al1
honor lies" 1t is without disparage-
ment of any Of the other participants
In the program that we specially men
ti0n the superb work OF Miss Nina
Skinner in connection with it's delin-
cation. Her enactment OF the lead
ing and somewhat difficult role an
signed to her evoked unstinted com
pliment and praise and was Justly
bestowed. As director and dramatic
reader. she is POSSESSED OF unusual
skill and talent General apprecia-
ton of the pageant and its production
was indicated in the applause and en-
thusfasm OF those who witnessed Il.