The Washington times., 1931-05-06

VISITORS from all SectlonS OF Ine
country.
It was our distinguished privi-
lege this year to crown as
Queen of the realm of apple
blossoms a fair and charming
daughter of England Miss
Patricia D. Morton of the ancient
and honorable City of Winchester,
Of which our Virginia town IS
the oldest namesake. The coro-
nation ceremony, patterned after
the liturgical formula employed
in the coronation of the ancient
English monarchs, took place
yesterday afternoon on the
esplanade of the Handley Schools,
and constituted one OF the
most beautiful and impressive
scenes ever witnessed. The jeWeled
crown was placed upon Miss
Morton's brow by the hand OF
Rear Admiral Richard Evelyn
Byrd, himself a son Of Win
chester, Virginia, whose fame as
an adventurer and explorer is
known and sung in every corner
of the globe, and even to the tips
of both the north and south
poles thereof. This ceremony,
which was participated IN oy
the Maids of Honor, the
Princesses appointed by Governors
of many of the States Of the
Union and constituting the flower
Of feminine beauty and charm,
was Immediately followed oy
the pageant-"The Apple, the
Fruit of the Gods" presented in
four parts, viz. The Prologue
"The BountieS of Nature are the
Gift of God" and three episodes,
The Apple in Nature. The Apple
in Legend. and Story. and The
Apple in the Wide World. This
pageant, composed and directed by
Garland r. Quarles. Superinten'
dent of the Handley Schools OF
Winchester, is marked by a great
variety of beautiful costumes and
decorations, and is accompanied
by theme music rendered by we'll
known symphony orchestra.
Last nights festivities were
largely In the hands of the four
volunteer fire companies Of Win
chester, together with number
of visiting firemen's organizations
from neighboring cities and towns,
who united in staging a torch
light procession, to the musical
accompaniment of a number OF
the fine bands that were in at
tendance upon the festival.
There was also an elaborate
reception to the Princesses Of
Queen Shenandoah VIII at the
beautiful estate known as Court
field, the home of Mr.. and Mrs.
Harry c. Stouffer.
A number of dances also took
place until a late hour at the ball
rooms of the George Washington
Hotel and at other public resorts.
Today's activities include a
repetition of the pageant, re-
ception and luncheon to the
Queen and the Princesses of the
court at the home of Mr.. and
Mrs. John, M Steck and the
grand feature parade, "The Trail
Of the Pink Petals" This parade
of the second day represents the
climax of the two-day celebration
and is a medley of music and
beauty.
The Queen and her court, of
course, constitute the high spot
of this event, and there will be
many and varied floats of beau
tiful design and engaging import.
This feature, of two hours du-
ration, comes to a close at the
Fair Grounds, where it passes in
review before the Queen and her
court, together with many visitors
of national prominence.
The festival comes to close
tonight with the Queens ball, at
the Shenandoah Valley Academy
visitors to the Apple Blossom
Festival should not fail to thor
oughly visit Winchester. second
Oldest city in the State of Vir-
pinia. Rich in historical back
ground, this community of 10000
people is known as the apple
center of the East. In Winches-
ter is located the large apple Stor-
ages, cider and vinegar plants,
orchard supply houses, barrel
manufacturers, fruit packing and
products companies. and other
businesses pertaining to the apple
industry. Apple brokers and
buyers and those engaged in the
apple export business are located
here. Four prosperous banks and
tfree railroads serve this com.
rnurty. In addition to its apple
interests, industrial Winchester
boasts Of woolen mills, flour mills,
A foundry, a brick manufacturing
company, creamerieS, laundries
and many prosperous stores. A
live chamber of commerce serves
these interests and will be glad
to supply anyone with an inter
esting and attractive book on
winchester on reuleSt