The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1932-02-12
OPENING OF THE BICEN.
TENNIAL CELEBRATION


open the nine-month, nationwide
George Washington Bicentennial
celebration at noon eastern standard
time) February %, when he will de-
liver his George Washington address
before Jointly meeting of Congress,
assembled in the House of Repre-
sentives in the Capitol. The Judges
of the Sureme Court, members of
the Cabinet, foreign diplomats and
many other distinguished visitors
also will be present, and the address
will be carried to every corner of
America over a nationwide hook-up.
Following bis address, President
Hoover will be escorted to the East
steps of the Capitol, and will give
the signal for the singing of
"America" by chorus of ten thou
sand voices. 1t is expectedi that
millions of people will join in this
''sing" as it comes over the air.
The great chorus gathered at the
Capitol will be conducted by Walter
Damrosch and will be accompanied
by the United States Army, Navy
and Marine bands which will play as
a unit under the direction of John
Philip Sousa. An inaugural" crowd
is expected to be on hand for these
ceremonies.
After luncheon, President Hoover,
accompanied by the members of the
United States George Washington
Bicentennial Commission and the
District of Columbia George Washing
ton Bicentennial Commission will go
to Mount Vernon to lay a wreath on
the tomb of the Father of His
Country in the name of united
nation.
At 8 P. M. there will be exercises
at the Washington Monument under
the auspices of the various patriotic
societies in the District of Columbia.
In the evening the George Wash
ington Colonial Costume Ball will be
held at the Mayflower Hotel under
the auspices of the United States
George Washington Bicentennial
Commission and the District of
Columbia Bicentennial Commission.
No effort is being spared to repro
duce the Colonial atmosphere for
this occasion. The affair is being
managed by experts and every State
will be represented by especially
invited guests.
While the celebration officially
opens on February %, Sunday, Feb
ruary 81, will be an active day in the
District of Columbia as well as in
every city in America. The United
States George Washington Bicenten-
NAL Commission has suggested spec
ial religious services for George
Washington to be held wherever
people gather to worship. Response
from the various church organiza-
tons to this project has been re-
markable. 1t is probable that prac-
tically all of the $4,000 churches
will hold special services honoring
the First President on this day.
A folk-masque written especially
for the United States George Wash
ington Bicentennial Commission by
Percy MacKaye will be presented at
Constitution Hall, Washington, D.
c., on the evening of February 81.
This masque is being produced
under the auspices of the United
States George Washington Bicenten-
NAL Commission and the District of
Columbia George Washington Bicen-
tennial Commission.
The masque is entitled ''Wake-
field" named after the birthplace of
George Washington, and portrays
in symbolic form the story of George
Washington. Five hundred adults
and children are being rehearsed for
this production and the music will
be furnished by the United States
Marine Band. The folk-masque is
being printed by the United States
George Washington Bicentennial
Commission for use in other cities.
It is excepted that this masque will
be produced in all the large cities of
the United States during the Bicen-
tennial Celebration.