The Washington times., 1934-04-19
THRONGS SEE
CORONATION
Of QUEEN
Parade, Ball at MayfIoWer
Will Be Highlights OF
Closing Program
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main events Of the opening day
of Washington's first annual
Cherry Blossom Festival, which
got under way at dawn this
morning when more than 5000
persons turned out to view cere-
monfals staged on the banks Of
the Tidal Basin.
Perfect Setting
Clear skies and cool winds made
Q perfect setting for the brilliant
spectacle which marked the open
ing Of the three-day celebration.
The ceremonies appropriately
commemorated Japan'S gift to this
country Of the cherry blossom
trees IS years ago.
The program opened with q Sc
lection rendered by the United
States Marine Band under the d1-
rection Of Capt. Taylor Branson.
Conspicuous among the many
notables attending the special rites
were Commissioner Melvin c.
Hazen and Claude owen, preSi-
dent of the Washington Board OF
Trade, the two men who are cred
tied with effecting q long-desired
attempt to make the blooming OF
the cherry blossoms here an oc-
Oasion for o special celebration.
InterSperSed with the music
were interpretative dancing num-
hers by the Misses Chace and
Evelyn Davis, and their groups.
Orderly Crowd
The milling crowd. anxious to
catch q glimpse Of the dancers,
broke through the lines as park
police attempted to control the
increasing number Of spectators.
There was no unusual disturb
0nce, however, and the early
morning rites were concluded in
orderly fashion.
Meanwhile, the Nations Cap
ital, playing host to an estimated
$50, 900 guests over the weekend,
was jammed to capacity, with all
hotels reporting unprecedented
numbers Of visitors.
With fair weather predicted by
the Weather Bureau for the three
days of the Cherry Blossom FeS-
tival, thousands Of visitors are
pouring into washington by the
hour. The Washington Board Of
Trade, which is handling the
housing of the overflow of guests,
today asked strangers to eau Dis
tT1ct 3535 for information.
Most Of the overflow of guests
are being directed to rooming
houses and private homes.
Queen Crowned
The main feature on the pro-
gram this afternoon was the
Crowning Of the Queen Of the
Cherry Blossom Festival, Miss
Eleanor Roosevelt, daughter Of
the Assistant Secretary Of the
Navy. Miss Roosevelt, surround
ed by her 12 ladieS-ln-waiting, will
receive her accolade on q cano-
pied platform erected on the old
polo field at the Tidal Basin. The
ceremonies will be held at 2 p. m.
All public schools in the Dis
6ict will be closed tomorrow after
noon so that students and teach
erS may view the parade to be
held at 2 p. m.
Bureaus To Close
All employees of the District Gov.
ernment will be excused from duty
ct 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon
10 afford them q opportunity to
witness the Cherry Blossom Festi-
val parade, the District CommiS-
toners announced today.
Officials Of departments in the
Federal Government said today
permission would not be granted
70 Federal employees to view the
pageant.
More than 80 floats have been
entered in the parade, which will
Be featured by detachments from
the Army. Navy and Coast
Guards.
Tickets for seats in the review
ing stands along Pennsylvania and
Constitution avenues are available
kt 1919 c st. N. W.
Each Of the three nights of the
Festival the cherry blossom trees
along the banks of the Tidal Basin
will be Illuminated by specially
constructed floodlights.
In order to avoid congestion
along the Tidal Basin area the
public Is asked to park automo-
bileS outside that section.
Horse Show on Program
Following the coronation of the
queen this afternoon q horse show
will be staged on the polo field.
Thoroughbred steeds Of all classes
will go through their PAGES as
horsemen, dressed in variegated
colorS, ride their mounts in q
eolorful exhibition.
Another main feature Of TO-
morrow'S program will be Q bril-
liant display of fireworks on the
grounds near the Washington
Monument.
Saturdays program includes q
presentation Of the Japanese
6peretta, '"The Mikado"; . re-
eatt& Of canoe and motorboat
Saces IN the Tidal Basin, Q Sec
Dnd parade at night and q
brilliant ball in the Mayflower
Hotel. which viii conclude the
aree-dAy festival.
T1hA onera will hA nreSented in