Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1922-08-09

of it's kind ever staged in the history
of the county. 1t was produced by To-
cal talent under the auspices of the
local Post of the American Legion
and trained by the Thurston Manage
ment, Inc. 1t was both a theatrical
and financial success. Two perform
ances were given, August / and 2,
both performances lasting some three
hours. The production was staged in
side the race track at the Fair
Grounds where natural stage was
created. The attendance at the first
performance is estimated at. 5000 and
the second evening in the neighbor:
hood Of 5000. The total receipts for
the production were $780,. OF this
the Management secured $1,000 and
the American Legion after the pay
ment of all expenses, secured some
$500. :
A staff of seven persons were sent
here by the Management. Of these, C.
B. Reid of Battle Creek, Mich, is the
director. He is an able man. Splendid
.
The dancing instructors produced ex-
cellent results with over hundred
dancers to teach.
Three weeks time was expended in
producing the Pageant. Rehearsals
were held on the lawn at the court
house and in the Masonic Temple.
Spectators watched the work. No cos
tunes were used at the rehearsals.
The first time they were donned was
for the first, performance.
The various committees working
for the Legion did tireless work. Much
Of the equipment used was furnished
by local people.
The Pageant Queen contest was
a success. Much interest. was dis
played as ten young women Of the
county were contestants. rs votes
were given for each ticket purchased
80 Fully five. hundred local people
were in the cast. These includes the
individual characters and the many
large groups. A good community
spirit of cooperation marked the cast.
Children, young men and women and
elders all Joined hands in the produc-
ton.
The Pageant was witnessed not on
ly by the people of the County but
by many from other counties. Splen-
did advertising over this part of the
state was carried on by the Legion.
Rou;o,., rs tia DroI,,e$;>~
The entire cast appeared for it's last
rehearsal Monday evening at the Fair
Grounds when the complete play was
enacted. ~'. .--'.---.,
Tuesday evening in the brightness
Of ten large searchlights mounted in
front and on both sides the Kandiyo-
hi County Historical Pageant was
played before an audience conserva-
lively estimated at 5000 people, The
grandstand was crowded and the aud
fence massed on both sides.
The open clearing inside the race
track was bounded by wall Of foil
age and trees. This was an attractive
background. Tho the ground was un-
even the play was not marred.
The Willmar Municipal Band under
the direction of Victor Moeller rem
dered the Pageant music during the
three hours Of the performance. The
band has been complimented by Mr..
Moeller as being very efficient band
and the best that he has directed thus
far for any pageant. The band was
engaged for both evenings at two
hundred dollars. 'S
The Auditorium was used as a dress
ing room. Every inAfv1dual was held
responsible for his or her costume
The performance opened at $3.50
o'clock or at dusk. The entire cast
marched in the following formation
down the hill to the race track and
back of the stage wall: Prologue In
dams, Pioneers, 1870 Group, (these
being the principal elements.)
The Prologue
The Prologue with it's bright cos
tunes was a dazzling introduction to
the Pageant. The Spirit of the Com
munity' in clear voice delivered the
prologue attended by a train Of char
acters. Two heralds lead the Pro-
logue group,
: Immediately following was the bal
let "Gifts of the Seasons This was
we'll presented and was fitting cpl
sode. Examine cast for characters.
Indian Scene
The scene of the Red Man in his
1ilage was realistically portrayed.
Some fifty people were clothed and
painted as Indians. The chiefs in their
feathery head dresses and comfort
able blankets, the semi-naked braves,
the Indian boys and the young and
elder squaWs. The Indian dances and
games were executed with as much
savageness as possible. The Indian
marriage was an interesting scene
The arrival Of the groom and his
mounted attendants. HIS song Of love
and that Of his betrothed and the sing
ing Of the bride S handmade lens was