The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-13
GROCERS' PICNIC IS BIGGEST EVENT IN
 DEALERS' HISTORY.
Over 5000 Persons Estl- mated At EdgeWood Park
 Wednesday


 Over 5000 persons are estimated to have been in attendance at Edge- wood park Wednesday at the fourth annual barbecue and outing of tho Birmingham Retail Grocers and Butchers association, comprising practically every food dealer in Bir- mingham, Bessemer and Ensley. Many prominent visitors from Ala bama and adjoining states were present.
 Rain insurance provided for the oc- casion was not needed, for the day proved ideal for such an outing,
 Members of the association. their wives, sweethearts. children and visitors united in declaring the oc- casion the most successful of its kind ever held in the Birmingham dis trict.
 The feature of the day was the accessories, including brunswick stew, cold drinks, cake and cream and cigars. Eight thousand corn bread sticks were distributed by the Western Grain company. Dinner was served from booths by members of 2 o'clock. Over 5000 pounds of choice meat was barbecued, furnished by the leading packers.
 Not only members of the grocers' association, their families and guests enjoyed the bountiful spread, but large quantities of choice meats and goodies were carried to the Children's 8 hospital after the crowds were fed.
 Coffee served was furnished by Donovan Provision company. South ern Coffee and Spice company, Mills Coffee company, Dixie Coffee com pany and Batterton Coffee company Soft drinks were supplied by local
 The overwhelming success of the picnic was accredited to the jealous and tireless efforts of the different committees who had arrangements in hand and to those who looked after details on the grounds.
 Many and varied prizes were awarded by leading manufacturers to winners of the numerous contests, including foot races, swimming, dancing and others. Prizes were awarded to Clymes Williams of the Purity Oats company in the dancing contest; w. I. Carter, 931 Third avenue, as the fattest grocer at tha picnic; T. Joseph, 1913 Forty -fourth street, north. for the biggest smile and to various others in the biz. guessing contest conducted by the Donovan Provision company to de termine the number of Red Diamond eo1fee cans in pile. Prizes also
 
 largest feet the smallest wife, and to the grocer the longest in business in Birmingham. Those who did not receive their prizes on the ground s are requested to call by the office Of General Chairman E. c. Apperson. olS Lyric building, and receive same.
 NeVer was hostess more gracious or pleasing than was Miss Louise Andrews. official hostess and chair man of dancing for the occasion. MISS Andrews stated she had spent one of the most enjoyable as well as strenuous days tf her entire life. everywhere the pretty young hos tess was in demand and her duties were many and varied. Posing for photographs was only one of the tltude of things she was called upon 10 do, but never was she too busy to find time for a cordial greeting cf the hundreds of visitors and chat awhile with newspaper men.
 Probably the busiest man Wednes- day and for several weeks previously was General Chairman B. C. Apper- son, under whose direction the picnic was arranged. Hundreds of details occupied his time continuously until the gates of the big park opened and rom then ntilNthey closed for the day he was constantly in demand,
 Other members of the various cCm- mittees were: General N L. An drews, F. W. Bransby, o. T. Earl. Parker Osment; serving, Mason Mar tin; ways and means N. L. Andrews ; credentials, F. W. Bransby; transpor- tation and traffic, c. S. Headley; re- treatments, E. c. Price; cooking and barbecue, Fred Frederick; special membership, Charles M. Lane.
 Special credit also is due E. c. Colvin, president of the association, and to individual members, states MT. Apperson, for his splendid co-opera- ton in making the barbecue the big gest and best yet held. Hardly an open grocery house could be found in the entire Birmingham district Wednesday. All were closed tighter than the proverbial Dicks hat band.