Evening star., 1935-05-02
Showers Delay, but Fail to
Halt, Opening Parade
of Children.
T0PC0ATED WATCHERS
LINE FESTIVAL STREETS
Queen Views March as "Unofi.
cial' 0bserver-Coronation
This Afternoon.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
WINCHESTER, Va, May 2.-Their
costumes of vivid colors contrasting
sharply against a background of
frowning skies, more than 5000 Fred
erick County school children swung
merrily along gayly decorated streets
today in the first highlight event of
the twelfth annual Shenandoah Apple
Blossom Festival.
Costumes made of thin cotton or
paper stood little chance o: holding UP
under drenching that had threat
ened earlier in the day. Festival man.
ayers were much disturbed over the
weather outlook, and when a loud
clap of thunder came, about am,
their spirits wilted
Children Undismayed.
Children in festive garb and with
the exuberance of youth. however, ap-
peared undismayed, and we're restive
and eager to 60.
Although relatively little rain fell.
skies continued menacing, with only
break here and there. However,
half an hour after schedule, the pa
rade got under way. Crowds that had
swarmed into the festival city during
the orlzzle, lined the streets, wrapped
over the courage Of youngsters not so
warmly clad.
Heading the parade was the cadet
band of Virginia Polytechnic Institute.
Blacksburg. r. F. Aylor, president of
the Frederick County Tea hers Asso-
citation. was chief marshal, with a
group of high school boys acting as
aides. Other bands heading divisions
included the Victory High School
Band. Clarksburg. w. Va: the high
school and graded school bands. Mar
tinsburg, W. Va, and Handley High
School Band Winchester.
Floats i'm Line.
Each school unit carried, identifica-
ton baruers. Numbers Of artistic
floats fashioned by pupils we're dis
tributed through the line.
Several miniature floats carried an
apple blossom festival queen and 80
some princesses along with their at
tendants. Small children we're chosen
to represent leading characters of the
celebration in the Springtime festival.
This feature was presented by Middle
town and Stephens City schools.
I Mile. Nella Veverka, daughter of
the CZechoslovakian Minister at
washington, who arrived last evening
to reign over the festival as Queen
Shenandoah X1 watched the parade
with a small group of friends. She
did oot make a public appearance,
as her official connection with the
celebration does not begin until her
induction this afternoon The 80
princeSSeS of the queens court saw
the parade from the porch of an old
Colonial home where they are being
entertained.
The coronation OF Mile. Veverka
was scheduled for 3 O'Clock at the
Handley High School Stadium In the
center of 72-acre campus. Festival
managers appeared confident the out
door ceremony would be held as
scheduled. However, they were pre-
pared for any emergency and were.
ready to transfer the scene to the
Handley High School auditorium
should rain interfere. 1t was there
that Mrs. John Hay Whitney Of
Llangollen, Upperville. was crowned
rx1an Shnuyor hrnh0
the stadium ceremony.
Governor to Place Crown.
Mile. Veverka is to be crowned by
Gov. H. G. Kump of West Virginia.
who arrived this morning with party
of friends. Over a hundred young
people are to have part in the cor
onatiOn. serving as princesSes, maids
of honor. military escorts, bodyguards
and chanters. All are to be in elabo-
rate court costumes and military
uniforms
The first formal function at which
the festival queen appeared was a
luncheon at noon. given by Mrs. Rich
ard Evelyn Byrd in honor of Mile.
Veverka. which afforded opportunity
for queen and court to become ac-
quainted. Many from the Washing
ton diplomatic corps, Army and Navy
officers and Virginia State officials
were included in the guest list.
Among other guests were Mrs.
Woodrow Wilson, Washington, and
Mrs. Whitney, upon whom the queenly
honors were bestowed last year.
Immediately following the corona
ton, about 1000 Handley High School
boys and girls we're to present q
gorgeous Pageant of Springtime, to
include many episodes of settlement
and development of the Shenandoah
Valley. 1t was to be given in the
Handley Stadium. with the queen and
her court occupying a specially con-
CT rouiaxuiyn0 stand