The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-09
ELKS LABOR DAY CELEBRATION BIC. r RATE RIVAL EVENT
Valuable Prizes Awarded. Over 10000 Persons
 Attend

The Elks' celebration staged Labor Day at Edgewood park under the auspices of Birmingham lodge. No 79, Benevolent Protective Order Of Elks, was probably the most elab- crate outdoor event in the history of Birmingham lodge.
 About 10000 persons attended and despite the large crowd the various events were pulled off without con- Illusion and everyone had a good time. The program was varied and there was something doing every minute of the day.
 The big attraction was the aviation exhibition staged by Grantland IT, vlnee Glenn E. Messer and Capt. Sam c. HarrelL three daring aviators who thrilled the, crowds with their death defying stunts. At the conclusion of this part of the program many of the visitors were given a trip planes.
 Two baseball games were played during the day and a magnificent fireworks display in connection with af flight of the airplanes. all bril- liantly illuminated, was & feature
 
 The swimming pool was filled all day long with a happy crowd of young folks, many of whom took part in the water sports and diving contests. which were given during the afternoon. under the direction of Ed Spencer. swimming instructor at the park. Some of the contests proved exciting, the contestants striving hard for the valuable prizes offered.
 One of the most interesting events of the morning was the baby show. In which large number of the prettiest babies in the city partici- pateds The judges were: Capt. E. J, McCrCssin, Judge B. M Allen and Col N. A. Richards, and their task proved a difficult one. The grand prize, handsome baby buggy, was won by little Miss Lillie May Thornburg. Other prize winners were: Dorothy life, June Kathryn Bowman, Mary Francis Hardy. Laurence Wimpcey and Helen Whitaker.
 The awarding of the pony and cart and a boys bicycle and girls bi- cycle aroused great interest among the little folks, as none over 12 years of age was allowed to partici- pate. The pony and cart was awarded to Jesse Gregg, Jr., the little son of MT. and Mrs. Jesse J. Gregg, 22O Grace street, north. the boys bI- cycle to Landrum Benton, 1719 Jasper street; the girls bicycle went to little Margaret Morgan of Rhodes Circle.
 The bathing revue also attracted much attention, as about a dozen beautiful girls in the prettiest bath ing costumes imaginable were the contestants. The decision of select ing the prize winners was left tC the spectators, and Miss Tena Roper, Miss Thelma Williams and Miss JesS sic Truitt were judged the winners in the order named.
 A large number of field events were pulled off, such as foot racing, Jumping, ball throwing, sack and potato races, horseshoe pitching con- tests and various other events There was great rivalry in the various contests and good sport was pro- vIded. These events were under the direction of Capt. Bob Boatrite.
 The band concert by the Elks band, under the direction of Prof. Otto Miller, was a pleasing feature while the dancing to the music fur nished by the Watson Bell Hops drew large crowd.
 A large number of special prizes were awarded In addition to those presented by the Elks,, which were donated by the merchants and busi- H6SS llIIlS Ol hC dA- fair was a big success and quite large sum was realized which will be applied to the charity fund of the lodge.
 Exalted Ruler Thomas W. Morgan, who had general supervision of the celebration, was much pleased with. the results, and desires to express his appreciation and thanks to the several committees for their work in making the affair a success and tC the merchants for their generosity In donating the prizes