Evening star., 1935-05-03
BLOSSOM PAGEANT
DELAYED BY WIND
Parade viii Be Only Event
of Shenandoah Festival
Today.
Special Dispatch TO The Star.

Special Dispatch TO The Star.
WINCHESTER, Va, May 3.-Higb
lights Of the twelfth annual Shenan-
doah Apple Blossom Festival suddenly
narrowed down to one big event today,
the triumphal parade of Queen Shen-
andoah" and her court, scheduled for
2 pm
Decision not to present a gigantic
spectacle, Dawn, Pageant of Spring.
time" was reached by Garland r.
Quarles, manager of that part of the
festival, because of chilling north
eastern winds. The program was TO
have been at IL am. on the Handley
High School campus.
Rain fell last night, but stopped be-
fore daybreak. However, skies con-
tinued menacing, and cold. bleak
winds were held too risky for children
in light costumes. Quarles' decision
was upheld by members of the Festi-
val Executive Committee, who decided
to present the entertainment at pm.
Saturday unless again prevented by
unfavorable weather.
The pageant was TO have been pre-
sented yesterday afternoon for the first
time Immediately after the coronation
of Mile. Nella Veverka, daughter of
the CZechoslovakian Minister, as
Queen Shenandoah XII" and was TO
have been given the second time to-
day. The queen and her court attend
ants had arranged to attend the
pageant. Instead, they went on
tour of apple orchards, in which a
few scattered blossoms linger. She
and her party then were guests at an
official luncheon. held at the home of
Mrs. Lewis H. Hyde. 1t was given by
the festival organization for the queen
and her court and her parents, Or. and
Mrs. Ferdinand Veverka.
$4,000 to See Parade.
As noon approached additional thou
sands poured into the apple capital"
to witness the other high light of the
day, a triumphal parade called the
trail of the pink petals" Police
estimated the crowd at so 900.
Scheduled to move at 2 pm, with
DR.. Lewis M. Allen as chief marshal,
the line was divided into six grand
divisions, and 1t was estimated 5000
marchers would follow him through
streets gay with flags and bunting.
Queen Shenandoah" and her prin-
ceSses, on three ornate floats, had 19
American Legion and Veterans of
Foreign Wars posts as escorts and 29
bands were distributed through the
line. Fifty or more artistic floats,
with festival colors Of green, pink
and white predominating in elaborate
decorative schemes, were to form two
divisions. Others included marching
delegations representing civic, educa-
tional and patriotic societies.
Expressing q desire TO go through
with the full. rich and elaborate cere-
money In spite Of a misty rain, Mile.
Veverka was crowned yesterday aft
ernoon.
PeIted by Rain.
Just as the ceremony was conclud-
ing the mist broke into a steady rain.
but Mile. Veverka. called by many fes-
tival visitors Queen Nell" turned and
flashed a winsome smile and grscieSs
bow and occupied the great throne
chair as raindrops pelted her. She
was captivating with her unaffected
charms and her witticisms concerning
the weather, and took in the situa-
ton with a philosophic reasoning.
She won the hearts of the passing
throng and was acclaimed.
| The jeweled crown was placed by
Gov. H. G. Kump of West Virginia
Upward of 200 young people were
grouped around the queen during the
! ceremony as members of the royal
court. They included 80 princesses
from colleges of Virginia. West Vir-
ginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and
| the District of Columbia; maids of
honor. military escort. bodyeuards,
heralds and pages. The Glee Club of
Harrisonburg State Teachers College
sang Czechoslovakian hymn during
an intermission. The Handley High
/ School Band, Winchester. PLAYED the
Czech national anthem at the. close
of the ceremony.
Rev. Father Robert E. Harmon, pas
tor of Sacred Heart Catholic Church,
administered the oath as prelate of
the church. Col. BrantZ M. Roszel
was minister Of state and placed the
royal robe of cloth of gold over the
Queens shoulders. The key of the
city, made by John w. Nail of wood
from the Civil War battlefield of Cedar
Greek, was presented by Mayor c. r.
Anderson to Miss Mary Elizabeth
Ebert. princess for winchester, and
she. in turn, to the Queen.
Cadets Of the MaSsanutten Military
Academy, Woodstock, Va, acted as
military escort to her majesty. A
blare of trumpets announced her ap-
proach from within Handley High
School down the broad central stair
way leading to the esplanade under
an arch of steel Standing Just in
front of the cadets were the princesses.
attired in costumes of white lace and
large picture hats trimmed with pink
roses. The Queens long train Of cloth
of silver was borne by Miss Jane
Gather and Miss Dorothy Hawthorne.
The crown was carried on a white
satin pillow by Miss Elizabeth Steck
Arthur. The maids of honor, Miss
Fenton MCGUIRE Nelson and Miss
Nancy Devereux Bowly, likewise were
in white lace with large poke bonnet
hats.