The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1927-09-08
$4,000 PRESENT AT LABOR
DAY PICNIC HELD MONDAY
Knights of Pythias Have Ideal
Weather For Annual Affair
biggest Ever Held.

With ideal weather and crowd of
over 5000 people, the Eighth Annual
Labor Day picnic, held under the aus
pieces of the local lodge, Knights of
Pythias, in Helbig's Grove on the
eastern edge of town, was said to
have been the biggest gathering ever
assembled in Oakland. Even with the
extra available parking space, many
automobile parties were unable to find
room near the grounds, and the i'm
mense crowd fingered until after the
fireworks display at $3.50 in the ev-
ening.
The parade in the morning marked
the beginning of the days activities.
AS secluded in the program, it formed
on Third street and going west on
Alder turned into Second street with
Guy o. Yutzy, William Casteel, Wade
H. Hinebaugh and Alvey R. Martin as
marshals, followed by the Crellin
Boys Band and Oakland Troop, No. l.,
Boy Scouts of America. The Oakland
fire department, with its engines l and
and the chemical truck, followed
next in line, and these in turn were
followed by the automobile contain
ing the speakers of the day, who were
Mr.. Charles w. Ream, who made the
address of welcome upon reaching the
picnic grounds.
Mr.. Julius C. Renninger, Past Grand
Chancellor of Maryland, introduced to
the assembly A. Willard Tawes, pres
ent Grand Chancellor, who made a
telling speech and was listened to
with great attention.
Amusements Hold Crowd.
The ferris wheel, merry go-round
and numerous other amusements held
the majority of the picnicers until
late in the evening. The Crellin Boys
Band entertained during slack mo-
ments with four concerts, and the
Oakland troop of Boy Scouts took
y care of directing and controlling the
!. traffic which averted what might have
been serious tie ups among the hun
dreds of cars driving in and out of
the grove.
In addition to the above appear
ing in the parade from the Knights of
Pythias building to the picnic ground
were several members of the Knights
of Khorassan and a pet bear, and a
trades display representing ten of Oak
lands business establishments. Three
frisky clowns were also prominent
along the line of march.
No Figures Yet.
While no figures are available at
this time as to the financial success of
the picnic, those in charge stated that
indications are that Mondays gath
ering was the most successful one
ever held. This was said in spite of
the fact that greater expense would
have to be met this year than former
ly. 1t will not be known definitely I'M
til the grounds have been cleaned up
at the end of this week just what the
net figures will total, but it will be
well up in the thousands.
Mr.. Sprague Gets Automobile.
The drawing card at the picnic this
year, as has been in past years, was
the giving away of an automobile.
This year Mr.. George D. Sprague, To-
cal manager of the Oakland Cream
cry, was awarded the machine,a Chew
rolet sedan, purchased by the lodge
from C. U. Edwards & Sons, Grants
vile representatives of the manufac-
turers.
Started Eight Years Ago.
Eight years ago the first Labor Day
picnic was held in Helbig's Grove. 1t
was considered so much of success
that decision to make it an annual
affair was made at once. Since that
time attendance has increased with
each recurring year, and the eighth
annual, held Monday, was considered
the biggest of them all.
Plans are now being made, accord
ing to those in charge, for next year,
which is expected to eclipse any pre-
vious picnic ever held. q,